FORMER Keighley Labour MP John Grogan has been chosen by the party to contest the seat again at the next general election.

He was selected during a meeting at Keighley's Central Hall yesterday (November 27), which saw more than 300 party members take part in a vote.

Mr Grogan served as Keighley's MP for two years, until 2019, and had previously represented Selby between 1997 and 2010.

He says: "Keighley and Ilkley is a classic marginal seat. It is 23rd on the target list of seats for Labour at the next general election in terms of the swing required. I feel a big responsibility to win this seat for Labour again and help put Keir Starmer into Number 10 Downing Street.

"We need a competent Labour Government with a plan for a fairer and greener Britain.

"Since 1983, when it was first contested, Keighley and Ilkley has been a two-horse race between Labour and the Conservatives. I look forward to robust, but always civil, debates with the current Member of Parliament.

"On some issues – such as the need to rebuild Airedale Hospital, which I first raised during the last Parliament – I hope we will be able to work together."