TWO candidates fighting to become Keighley’s next MP have clashed over whether the Bradford district should be split in two.

The incumbent Conservative candidate, Kris Hopkins, is calling for a new council to serve Keighley and Shipley, claiming they do not get a fair deal from Bradford Council.

He said: “I have already had a number of meetings with senior Government ministers in London about how a local referendum on Keighley and Ilkley independence could be brought about.

"More discussions will take place if I am re-elected on Thursday.”

But he accused his Labour rival, John Grogan, of wanting to “allow his party colleagues in Bradford City Hall to continue to short-change the people he seeks to represent”.

Mr Grogan said setting up a new council would lead to the loss of economies of scale, resulting in rising costs.

He said he acknowledged many people felt Keighley did not get a fair deal but instead of “waiting around for costly reorganisations of local government”, he would work with local businesses to develop a plan of action to bring investment to the town.

He added: “I think we are stronger together as a district.

"I note that when Kris was Leader of Bradford Council and when he was Minister for Local Government he made no real effort to split up Bradford when he had the chance to do so.”