KEIGHLEY and Ilkley's sitting MP Kris Hopkins has been chosen once again to run for this seat as the Conservative parliamentary candidate.

Mr Hopkins, who has held the seat since the 2010 General Election, was readopted unanimously at a special meeting of the Keighley and Ilkley Conservative Association in Churchill House earlier today. (April 28)

Speaking afterwards, Mr Hopkins said: “I'm deeply honoured to be given the opportunity to defend my hometown seat as the Conservative parliamentary candidate at the General Election on June 8.

"I humbly thank the membership of the Keighley and Ilkley Conservative Association for the faith they've shown in me once again.

“The country was on its knees when I first entered Parliament seven years ago.

"The Labour Party had left our economy in tatters, unemployment was sickeningly high and a great many people in Keighley and Ilkley were deeply worried about what the future might bring.

“Since then, I'm proud to have been part of a Conservative Government that has overseen a fall of more than 1,000 in local unemployment in Keighley and Ilkley, with youth unemployment down by 60 per cent.

“This is not a time to hand control of our economy back to a shambolic Labour Party with Jeremy Corbyn at the wheel.

“With the Brexit negotiations already underway, our nation faces its biggest challenge in generations.

“I was part of Theresa May’s campaign team when she became Prime Minister, and I have great faith in her ability to deliver the best possible deal for the United Kingdom as we leave the European Union.

“There are immense security challenges for us to face, both within our own borders and globally.

"We need to stand up to those evil people who want to do us harm.

"As a former steadfast Home Secretary, Theresa May will stand strong with tough anti-terrorism measures and by maintaining our nuclear deterrent.

“l remain fully committed to addressing vitally important local issues, such as progressing our hugely effective anti-drugs campaign, attracting more inward investment and jobs, protecting incomes for our older people, fighting for fair funding for our schools, improving Airedale Hospital still further and delivering better transport links.

“We have made a lot of progress over the last seven years, locally and nationally, but there is still much to do.

“I look forward to the General Election campaign in the coming weeks, when I will be asking Keighley and Ilkley residents to back me once again as their local Member of Parliament.”