MP's sister to fight Walsall seat

The sister of Labour MP Keith Vaz has been chosen to fight for the party's Walsall South seat when Bruce George stands down at the General Election.

Valerie Vaz was chosen as the candidate in a postal ballot, beating two others in an all-female line-up.

Miss Vaz was the comfortable winner after impressing members with a strong performance at the ballot hustings held last week.

Second was influential Westminster lobbyist Sue Hayman, followed by former West Midlands MEP Neena Gill.

The three were on a final shortlist whittled down from a strong field of ten which included Wolverhampton councillor Sandra Samuels.

A total of 40 women applied for the candidacy following Mr Bruce's decision to step down.

Miss Vaz, said: "I am privileged to have been selected by the Labour Party members in Walsall South as their candidate in the General Election. All my life I have fought for social justice and issues that matter to hard working families.

"Together with those who care about Walsall South, we will fight to win the election and we will win back the council for Labour."

Walsall Council's Labour leader Councillor Tim Oliver said: "I'm really looking forward to working with an excellent candidate for Walsall South. She will defend our majority vigorously."