OXFORD City Council’s former deputy leader has been selected as the Labour Party parliamentary candidate for Bournemouth East.

Tom Hayes announced the news on Twitter yesterday evening (December 6).

He said: “The Tories are ruining our country and Britain deserves better.

“We need a Labour Government and we’re going to work our socks off to deliver it.

“Proud to be selected as the Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for Bournemouth East."

The constituency has been represented since 2005 by Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood.

READ MORE: Fox News' Steve Milloy criticises Oxford traffic filters

In May, the labour councillor announced that he would step down from his position as deputy leader and zero carbon cabinet member.

He wanted to be the next Labour candidate for Stretford and Urmston in Greater Manchester, to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, help rebuild the NHS and bring green jobs to local communities, but then missed out on the short list.

The date of the next general election has not yet been announced. The current Parliament first met on December 17 2019 and will automatically dissolve on December 17 2024, unless it has been dissolved sooner by the King. Polling Day would be expected to take place 25 days later.

All parties currently represented in Parliament follow similar procedures to choose their candidates ahead of time for a general election.

Candidates have to be party members for a certain period of time, which varies from three months to a year. Then there are application forms and assessments, with questions about life and political experiences and career.

Read more from this author

This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi