LABOUR candidate for the Keighley and Ilkley Constituency John Grogan launched his campaign for the General Election at the Clarke Foley Centre in Ilkley.

He said: "I am honoured to be contesting the seat of Keighley and Ilkley as the Labour Party candidate for the fourth time in a decade.

"Five times since the war the majority in the seat has been less than a thousand and I would expect it once again to be a close run contest between Labour and the Conservatives.

"My priorities if elected will include cutting waiting lists at Airedale Hospital (the institution which unites this diverse constituency) and regenerating our town and village centres particularly Keighley itself. Local schools urgently need more teachers and there are many environmental issues to address not least sewage in the Aire, Wharfe and Worth valleys.

"I look forward to a passionate but measured debate and as a cricket fan in politics I shall always seek to play the ball not my opponent. If successful I shall seek to unite and not divide and work with all whatever their politics. With a Labour Government my aim would be that nobody in Keighley and Ilkley should be held back and nobody should be left behind.

"If I am elected to Parliament I shall not seek to be a Government minister so I can concentrate on the many local issues but also be free to speak up on the important national and international issues of the day."

Robbie Moore, who was elected the Member of Parliament (MP) for Keighley and Ilkley in the 2019 general election is standing for election once again for the Conservative Party.

Vaz Shabir is standing for election in the constituency for the Workers Party of Britain.

The official candidate list will be published by June 7, 2024.