Labour select Penistone and Stocksbridge candidate

FRANCYNE Johnson has been selected as Labour’s candidate for the Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency to stand at the next general election.

Members picked Francyne, a local mum with a background in youth and community work.

She currently represents the Stocksbridge and Upper Don ward in the constituency as a councillor.

Speaking after the selection, Francyne said: “The Tories are destroying the fabric of our society. The next general election is our last opportunity to rescue our NHS, tackle the climate crisis and to invest in our public services which have been ground down after a decade of austerity and privatisation.

“I come from a working-class background and have worked in retail, catering and cleaning. I know what it’s like trying to raise a family on a low income. It’s so vital that we have more MPs with this experience - they are meant to represent us after all.

“People in Penistone and Stocksbridge have been let down badly by the Tories and the Lib Dems. The more rural areas like ours are really hit hard by the cuts. Only a Labour government will get the funding we need into our public transport, our schools and our NHS.”

The current MP, Angela Smith, recently announced that she would not be contesting the seat and will instead be looking to secure the seat of seat of Altrincham and Sale West for the Liberal Democrats.

The Liberal Democrats have already put forward Hannah Kitching, a councillor for Penistone West in Barnsley Council, as their candidate.

The Conservative candidate for the seat is Miriam Cates, a former teacher who now runs a tech company with her husband and serves as a parish councillor for Oughtibridge.

The Brexit Party’s candidate is John Booker and Richard Trotman will be standing for the Green Party.