Labour have selected Falmouth University lecturer, Paul Farmer to take the fight to George Eustice MP at the next general election.

Camborne, Redruth and Hayle Constituency Labour Party met recently to select their new prospective parliamentary candidate. In a large and enthusiastic meeting at Blaythorne Social Club in Camborne, members selected Paul, who lives in the constituency.

Paul, who has lived in Cornwall for 34 years and is a Bard of Gorsedh Kernow, defeated Sophie Johnson of Hayle and Paul Raybould of Torbay to win the position outright in the first round with 76 per cent of the votes.

Paul said: “It is an enormous honour to be selected by my own Labour Party to be the voice in Parliament for our constituency and for Cornwall herself, and the large majority is very humbling. The other candidates were excellent at the hustings and I have given my sincere thanks to Sophie and to Paul for their contributions.”

Turnout for the vote was high as, following Jeremy Corbyn’s election as leader, Labour have seen a big increase in membership in the constituency, now totalling over 900 people.

Paul has also been endorsed by national unions, including Unite, the GMB and the BFAWU as well as the writer and broadcaster Own Jones.

Behind the scenes the local Labour Party have been working hard to ensure they are ready when a general election is called. They already have their campaign committee in place, and have been planning strategy.

“It’s a great team and now with the support of our huge membership and with the unions behind us, we will take this seat and give the constituency what they deserve, a Labour MP and government that will care for the many, not the few,” said Paul.