THE North Herefordshire Green Party has named its candidate for the forthcoming general election.

Ellie Chowns lives in the constituency at Canon Frome near Ledbury.

She and her husband Bryn have two sons who attend John Masefield High School and Ellie has 20 years’ experience in charities and education, currently working for Voluntary Service Overseas.

She said: “As the mother of two teenagers I want to try and speak out for our young people. They have no voice and no vote while huge decisions are being made that will have a major impact on their future.

“Today’s children and young people deserve a safe environment, clean air, affordable homes and an economy that works for everyone.

“To that end, we need a fresh, forward-thinking approach to politics in the UK - building bridges, looking for common ground and working together for the common good.

“The Green Party champions a caring society that includes everyone and invests properly in the public services that we all value so much – the NHS, education, social care, and public transport.”

At council level, the Green Party won the Leominser South ward in the recent by-election in Leominster with a large majority. The Greens now have three councillors on the county council, having overtaken the Lib Dems who have two.

Councillor Felicity Norman, chairman of North Herefordshire Greens, said: “Ellie has a track record of activity in the community having served as a school governor, HomeStart volunteer and housing association treasurer and is an enthusiastic supporter of youth sports teams.

“She is an exceptionally high-energy, high-calibre candidate who would make an excellent Member of Parliament for the people of North Herefordshire.”

Meanwhile, Bill Wiggin has been re-selected as the Conservative candidate for the seat.

Mr Wiggin was unanimously re-selected after a vote of the North Herefordshire Conservative Association Executive Council, and a subsequent vote by attendees of a special general meeting.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been unanimously re-selected as the Conservative Candidate for North Herefordshire. Although I have been the MP for North Herefordshire for 16 years, I have never grown complacent and, as ever, am humbled to be chosen to contest the seat for the Conservative Party.

“The North Herefordshire Conservative Association and I have forged a tremendous relationship over the past 16 years. I am so pleased that they have voted for continuity and now we can work to return Theresa May as Prime Minister and get on with building a Britain that works for everyone. 

“This will be my sixth general election but I am excited about the challenge that the coming weeks will present, and as always I am looking forward to seeing my constituents’ on the doorsteps to discuss the issues that really matter in North Herefordshire.”