Express & Star

Conservative Walsall South candidate 'thrilled' to be selected

The Tory candidate for Walsall South says he is 'thrilled' to get the nod to contest June's election after the local party rejected the two candidates put forward by Conservative HQ.

Published
James Bird with Conservative supporters

As reported by the Express & Star this past weekend, 32-year-old James Bird has been selected by the Conservatives to fight against Labour's Valerie Vaz in June 8's election.

Mr Bird's selection marks the end of a fiasco for the Conservatives in Walsall after two potential candidates with no local links, drafted in by party bosses, were overwhelmingly rejected.

Speaking about his selection Mr Bird, born in Birmingham and a director at a communications agency, 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 8th.”

Labour has a 6,007 majority in Walsall South but the Conservatives hope to snatch the seat as residents overwhelmingly voted for Brexit and at the general election two years ago 6,450 people voted UKIP.

Suky Samra, Chairman of Walsall South Conservative Association, said: “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.”