Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson has confirmed he has thrown his hat in the ring to be the Conservative Party candidate for the new Penrith & Solway seat.
Dr Hudson said the core of his current constituency would form the newly created seat and he hoped to build on his ‘strong track record’ as the area’s MP.
Dr Hudson said: “I can confirm that I will absolutely be standing for selection to represent the Conservative Party as the candidate for the newly-created seat of Penrith and Solway.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life serving the people of Penrith and The Border, and with Penrith, Eden and Wigton at the heart of the current constituency, I look forward to continue delivering for our vast and diverse county.
“I have fought and campaigned loyally for my party consistently for over 30 years. I firmly believe I am the best person to win the seat at the next election and defeat both Labour and the Lib Democrats locally and then continue representing our brilliant communities here in rural Cumbria.”
In February 2020 he was elected by his fellow MPs to sit on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.
Selection for the Conservative candidate is set to take place next month at a members-only meeting.
The constituency changes are part of the 2023 Boundary Review which seeks to make sure parliamentary seats across the country have around the same number of electors.
The independent Boundary Commission for England will submit its recommendations to Parliament by July 1.
The new Penrith & Solway seat includes parts of the existing Workington constituency, including Maryport and Cockermouth.
Current Workington MP Mark Jenkinson has confirmed he will also be standing for selection. He said he was being backed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
