The candidates for the four largest parliamentary parties are confirmed for the next election in Altrincham and Sale after the Liberal Democrats selected a councillor for the contest.
Jane Brophy, who is an ex-member of European Parliament, is to take on Magic Circle lawyer Oliver Carroll and Trafford Council colleagues Ben Hartley and Geraldine Coggins.
Currently, the MP for the area is Graham Brady, who announced an intention to stand down from the role after some 26 years this year.
Cllr Brophy challenged Sir Graham several times for the role, coming second in 2010 and third both eight years ago and six years ago.
Cllr Brophy, a resident of Timperley and an NHS worker at Wythenshawe Hospital, said: “It is an honour to be chosen to represent the Liberal Democrats in Altrincham and Sale West. This is my home and I raised my family here.
“I love our communities and I have a track record of more than 20 years of public service, fighting for local residents every day.
“In Parliament, Conservative MPs are out for themselves. People across Altrincham and Sale West deserve so much better.
“At the next election, a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a local champion who offers the change we need.”
Although the majority for the Conservative Party at the last election was more than 6,000, the polls suggest the seat is under pressure from the Labour Party at the next election, which must be called before the end of next year.
At the time of writing Electoral Calculus puts the party's chance of winning for the first time since the creation of the constituency as high as 88 per cent.
In a statement to The Messenger at the time he announced an intention to stand down, Sir Graham said: "Representing my hometown in the House of Commons has been an immense privilege for which I will always be grateful.
"My colleagues in the House of Commons have also given me the unique opportunity of chairing the 1922 Committee for longer than anyone else in its 100-year history. I will continue to serve until the end of the parliament, if they want me to."
This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.
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