Tories select ex-Walsall mayor to fight Ian Austin's Dudley North seat
The Conservatives have selected a Black Country councillor to fight the key marginal seat of Dudley North at the next general election.
Walsall councillor Marco Longhi will contest the seat, which Ian Austin won for Labour with a majority of just 22 votes over the Tories in 2017.
Mr Austin has since quit Labour due to his opposition of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, and may return to defend his seat as an independent.
In a local association vote Mr Longhi beat off competition from former Wolverhampton councillor Arun Photay and Dudley optician Ahmed Ejaz, who stood in the European elections in May.
He has represented Pelsall on Walsall Council since 1999.
He served two terms as borough Mayor from 2017-19 – the second in controversial circumstances after he used his deciding vote to back himself for another year, allowing the Tories to take control of the council.
Mr Longhi said his priorities will be campaigning for the regeneration of brownfield sites in Dudley, tackling the knife crime epidemic, and focusing on mental health in the community.
But his most pressing concern is Brexit.
“I am extremely pleased to have been selected by members of Dudley North Conservative Association and I will be campaigning hard on the issues that matter most to people across the constituency," he said.
"I’ll be a local champion with a plan to get things done, making sure people see a difference and have their views and opinions heard loud and clearly.
“One of the most important issues for local people is that we respect the result of the referendum and leave the EU on October 31, with or without a deal. This will allow us to reunite the country and deliver on people’s priorities.
“Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party offers nothing for people here in Dudley North. His 'surrender act' means delaying Brexit until at least 2020 and even longer if the EU demand it – Brussels would be in the driving seat and Corbyn would accept anything from them."
Mr Longhi previously contested Dudley South at the 2005 general election, finishing second behind Labour.
He is married to Andrea and runs his own business in property management. He raised £150,000 for the charity WPH Counselling Service in his two terms as Mayor.
