The Liberal Democrats have selected their candidate for the new constituency of Harpenden and Berkhamsted.

Entrepreneur and environmental campaigner Victoria Collins has been selected, stating: "I am proud to stand for Parliament for my local area."

The Conservative Party's Bim Afolami is currently the Member of Parliament for Hitchin & Harpenden.

However, the independent Boundary Commission have announced that the Hitchin & Harpenden constituency will be abolished at the next General Election, due to take place in 2025.

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Instead, Harpenden will be paired with Berkhamsted with Hitchin standing alone.

"Saving chalk streams and our canal from sewage discharges", cutting ambulance waiting times and "tackling the cost of living and supporting local businesses" have been announced as Ms Collins' top priorities for the constituency.

Victoria Collins said: “I am proud to stand for Parliament for my local area and am determined to give this constituency a strong voice in Westminster.

                                                                                   

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"The towns and villages in this new constituency have been taken for granted for too long by Conservative MPs.

“It is time we had a local champion who will fight to protect our waterways, save our health services and support local businesses.

"We have Liberal Democrat MPs in neighbouring constituencies who are delivering every day for local communities, and I want to follow in their footsteps

“At the next election, it will be a two horse race between four more years of a tired and out of touch Conservative party, or a fresh start with a Liberal Democrat MP.”

The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey MP, added: “It is fantastic to see Victoria selected.

"Her passion for the local environment and expertise in business is the perfect combination for Harpenden and Berkhamsted.

"I’ve seen Victoria’s determination to save the local chalk streams and I know she will take the fight to Westminster if elected next year.

“When I was in Berkhamsted last month, I heard first hand from local people who are fed up with being taken for granted by the Conservative party.

"Next year, local people can elect a strong local champion in Victoria and finally deliver change for the area."