Tories select candidate for Runcorn and Helsby by-election
MP Mike Amesbury is planning to quit Parliament over an assault conviction
The Conservatives have selected a senior executive from the National Federation of Builders to contest the Westminster seat vacated by Mike Amesbury following his conviction for assault.
Sean Houlston was announced as the Tory candidate for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election on Sunday, vowing to "stand up for our area".
The by-election follows Amesbury's decision to stand down rather than face a recall petition after he received a 10-week prison sentence, suspended on appeal, for punching a constituent last year.
Amesbury, who was suspended by the Labour Party following his arrest, pleaded guilty to the offence.
He won his seat last year with a majority of 14,696 over Reform UK, with the Conservatives a close third.
The by-election will present a first electoral test for Sir Keir Starmer'sLabour Party, and for Reform, which will hope to convert its improved polling figures into an additional MP.
But the Conservatives will also hope to demonstrate some recovery under Kemi Badenoch's leadership after suffering one of its worst general election defeats.
Mr Houlston, who came third in the neighbouring Widnes and Halewood constituency last year, said: "Politicians like Reform don't care about our area. They're only interested in national politics. Forgetting the local issues and the people as they play politics.
"At this by-election, I'll be standing up to Starmer's Government for the pensioners that have had their heating taken from them. For our small businesses facing higher bills. And for our farmers, faced with losing their farms.
"But more than anything. I'm standing to save our green spaces."
Labour has selected Cheshire West and Chester councillor Karen Shore as its candidate, while the Greens will stand local councillor Chris Copeman, who came fourth in the seat in the general election.
Reform is yet to announce its candidate for the by-election, the date of which is also still to be revealed.