Nurse Eleanor - I will win key seat

Eleanor Smith has been selected to contest the Wolverhampton South West seat vacated by Rob Marris, who has retired.

And the hospital nurse believes she has what it takes to defeat Conservative Paul Uppal, who returns to fight for the seat he lost by the slender margin of 801 in 2015.

Mrs Smith, who became the first black woman president of Unison in 2011, said: "I expect a close battle but I am going to give it my best shot.

"I'm sure that I will win. I can draw on my experience as a trade unionist and the compassion I have as a nurse, along with a lot of enthusiasm.

"I am looking forward to representing the people of Wolverhampton South West in Parliament."

Ms Smith, who is from Birmingham, has already hit the campaign trail in the constituency and says she has received 'positive feedback' from residents.

"I know that Wolverhampton council is overseeing a lot of development in the city and I want to help build on that," she said.

Ms Smith says she is putting the NHS at the forefront of her campaign. "I have seen first hand the devastating impact the Tories have had on the NHS," she said.

"People rightly see it is an extremely important issue. Jeremy Corbyn is putting the NHS as a priority. We need a Labour government to sort out the mess."

Sarah Quarmby has been named as the Liberal Dem candidate for Wolverhampton South West.

Meanwhile the Tories have selected candidates for two Black Country seats.

Sarah Macken will contest Wolverhampton North East, where Labour holds a 5,495 majority, while Dr Andrew Hardie will attempt to overturn a near 7,000 Labour majority in West Bromwich West.

Ms Macken is the head of public affairs for the defence arm of Airbus. She previously stood for the Pro Life Alliance in Brent East in 2001, where she polled 1.4 per cent of the vote.

In 2005 she fought East Ham for the Tories, finishing third.

She said: “I feel privileged to be chosen as the Conservative candidate for Wolverhampton North East at the General Election and I want to thank local party members for giving me this opportunity.

“Wolverhampton North East deserves and needs a strong voice in Westminster. Someone who will champion our hardworking residents and I will be this voice."

She added: “Wolverhampton voted overwhelmingly to leave the European Union - I will be an MP who fully supports and assists Theresa May in getting the best deal from Brexit both locally and nationally."

Meanwhile Dr Hardie says he is confident of winning West Bromwich West, which has been a Labour stronghold since it was created in 1974.

Sutton Coldfield councillor Dr Hardie, who came second to Labour's Adrian Bailey by 5,651 in 2010, says he believes the electorate will prove it is time for change in the constituency.

Describing his chances as 'strong', he said the shambolic position of Labour under Jeremy Corbyn would stand him in good stead on June 8.

"People need to see a united party fighting with the same aim, not one that is looking inwardly and focused on internal disputes," he said.

Dr Hardie, aged 62, retired as a full-time GP in 2015 but still works as a locum GP.

He defended the Tories record on the NHS, and said safety issues had improved dramatically since the last Labour government.

"There are problems with how we manage excess demand, but the Government is looking at those issues," he said.