Tory candidate James Bird vows to work with Theresa May to boost Walsall
The Conservative candidate chosen to take on Labour's Valerie Vaz in Walsall South has said he will work 'closely' with Theresa May to boost the town.
James Bird, a former Birmingham City Councillor and communications director, was unveiled as the candidate yesterday.
The 32-year-old said: “I am thrilled to be selected as the Conservative candidate for Walsall South and grateful for the endorsement from local party activists.
“Walsall South deserves a fighter to represent the town in Westminster and if elected I will be just that; banging the drum for our community at every possible opportunity.
“I will also be an MP who works very closely with Theresa May on Brexit and beyond, ensuring our local economic potential is realised.
“Both Walsall and the country needs the strong and stable leadership offered by the Prime Minister and you can only secure it by voting Conservative on June 8.”
It comes after Conservatives in Walsall South refused to hold a selection meeting after two potential candidates were centrally imposed on the constituency group by Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).
Members of Walsall Conservatives were angry after no local candidate was put up for selection.
Suky Samra, chairman of Walsall South Conservative Association, added: “James is a terrific candidate and Walsall Conservatives are very glad to have him on the ballot paper for the party at the General Election.
“We will be campaigning hard as team throughout Walsall South, talking to local residents about what matters most to them but also emphasising the danger of letting Jeremy Corbyn into Downing Street, propped up by the SNP and others.”
Walsall South is a Conservative target seat.
Incumbent Valerie Vaz has a majority of 6,007 votes but in 2015 there were 6,450 UKIP votes at the election.
In Walsall North, Streetly councillor Eddie Jones is the candidate for the Tories.
He is looking unseat Labour's David Winnick who has held the seat for 38 years.
Walsall as whole backed Andy Street for the Conservatives in the West Midlands Mayor election last week.
The Tories won 23,694 votes in the first round compared to 16,725 for Labour.
