Anti-poverty campaigner Josh Fenton-Glynn has been selected as the Labour Party’s parliamentary candidate for the Calder Valley.
At a selection hustings at Calder High School, Mr Fenton-Glynn staved off competition from Luddenden Foot ward councillor Simon Young, Park ward councillor Jenny Lynn and Highbury West ward councillor Andy Hull.
“I’m proud and humbled to have been selected to be Labour’s candidate in my home constituency,” he said.
“I love the Calder Valley but it’s being hit hard by this Tory-led government and it needs an MP prepared to stick up for local people.
“I will campaign tirelessly between now and the next election to win the trust and support of voters in every corner of the Calder Valley.
“Through my work fighting UK poverty, I’ve already achieved more changes to the law from outside Parliament than Calder Valley’s current Tory MP Craig Whittaker has managed from inside it.
“I’ve had enough of David Cameron’s constant attack on our living standards. Unlike Mr Whittaker and the government of millionaires he supports, if elected I will always put Calder Valley people first and will always be on their side.”
Mr Fenton-Glynn was born and bred in Hebden Bridge and attended Stubbings Infant School, Riverside Junior School and Calder High School, before gaining a degree from Liverpool University.
Professionally, he has worked on the UK Poverty Programme at Oxfam, the Child Poverty Action Group and is currently employed by the trade union PCS.
Mr Fenton-Glynn added: “I’ve done everything from running national campaigns to doing detailed legislative work on bills and in Whitehall – it’s been a privilege to use my education in that way but I know I could do more for people here speaking up for them in Westminster.”