WESTON'S Conservative Party has announced that MP John Penrose is its candidate for the next election.

A local party spokesperson said: “John’s the son of two teachers and was a successful businessman before becoming our local MP, so he’s got plenty of real world experience and a track record of delivering results for the town.

"He’s been instrumental in getting Government support and cash for critical projects like the Banwell Bypass, saving Birnbeck Pier, more police in Weston, 13,000 more GP appointments each month compared to a year ago, and helping local employers and jobseekers through his annual Weston Jobs Fair.

“But John doesn’t believe in sitting back. He’s got a plan of things local people have said they want him to deliver for Weston if he’s re-elected for the next five years."

Mr Penrose aims to:

  • Cut down traffic caused by the J21 upgrades and the Banwell Bypass work.
  • Regenerate Weston by investing more in homes.
  • Bring in more community police to help keep the town safe.
  • Create more appointments and shorter wait lists for treatment.
  • Create a high-skilled workforce to attract employers to invest in the town.
  • Deliver net zero affordability for everyone. Mr Penrose leads the Commission for Carbon Competitiveness.

Mr Penrose said: "I’m thrilled and honoured that local residents have put their faith and trust in me to stick up for Weston in Parliament.

"We’ve come a long way in the last few years, with lots of new investment and jobs arriving in our town, but there’s still loads more to do.

"We can’t stop now. As the town’s motto says: ‘Ever Forward’!"

More information about Mr Penrose's goals can be found on the Weston-super-Mare Conservatives website, which reads: "John Penrose was first elected MP for Weston-super-Mare in 2005.

"His campaigns to make Britain’s economy work for the many, not the few, include the Energy Price Cap (recently successful); making housing cheaper to own or rent by allowing urban owners and developers to Build Up Not Out, and to Make Builders Build; making Britain’s economy more generationally-just and socially-just by creating a UK Sovereign Wealth Fund and a legally-binding Fiscal Rule; and reforming formerly-nationalised utilities (eg energy, telecoms, water, rail) to put customers in charge, rather than politicians, bureaucrats or regulators instead."