Tories take aim at Labour-held Black Country seats

The Conservatives have selected candidates to contest Labour-held Black Country seats in the upcoming general election.

Tettenhall Wightwick councillor Jane Stevenson will contest Wolverhampton North East, the seat held by Emma Reynolds at the 2017 poll with a majority of 4,587.

She has been a Wolverhampton councillor since last year.

Across the city, Dudley optician Ahmed Ejaz, from Kates Hill, is the candidate for Wolverhampton South East, the seat which Pat McFadden has held since 2005.

Ahmed Ejaz is the Tory candidate for Wolverhampton South East

He was selected having lost out to Walsall councillor Marco Longhi in a bid for the Dudley North candidacy. He also ran as an unsuccessful Conservative candidate in this year's European elections.

Meanwhile the party has chosen Dudley councillor Nicola Richards for West Bromwich East, where Labour deputy leader Tom Watson stood down after 19 years.

Ms Richards, who represents Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, is chairman of the Tory-controlled authority's overview and scrutiny management committee.

Sandwell Conservatives have selected Nicola Richards to contest West Bromwich East

She is an avowed campaigner against anti-Semitism, and will take on former Labour and Respect Party MP George Galloway who is standing as an independent.

Ms Richards said on Twitter: "A huge thank you to Sandwell Tories for selecting me as your parliamentary candidate for West Bromwich East.

"I am so honoured to be given the chance to represent you and part of the Black Country."

Nominations for candidates are due to close on Thursday.