LEIGH's former MP has won the selection process to try and regain her seat in Parliament.

Following a four-person selection process, Leigh's Labour Party chose Jo Platt as the candidate to challenge the Conservative Party in the next general election.

Describing her re-selection as an "honour", she beat off competition from Dane Anderton, Nazia Rehman and James Wright.

After Andy Burnham stepped down as the town's long-standing MP, Ms Platt represented Leigh between 2017 and 2019, when she lost the seat to Conservative MP James Grundy.

In the turbulent years that followed, Jo has been working on regeneration projects at Leigh Spinners Mill, helping to repurpose the historic landmark as a space for local businesses and cultural organisations to operate.

She has also continued to campaign on political issues, including lobbying the Government to research the long-term health impacts of Long Covid, after dealing with the debilitating illness herself.

Leigh Journal: Ms Platt said it is an "honour" to be the Labour candidate Ms Platt said it is an "honour" to be the Labour candidate

Commenting on her re-selection, Jo Platt said: “It is an honour to be the Labour candidate for Leigh once again.  

"We have a lot to be proud of in Leigh, and a huge amount of strength and resilience in our communities, but the Conservative government with the support of our local MP have failed us. 

"Whilst the Government continue to naval gaze, I want to hit the ground running on the issues that really matter.

"Only Labour has a plan to help people through the cost-of-living crisis, fix our broken transport system and ensure people feel safe on our streets. 

"I want to work with everyone in the constituency and look forward to working alongside residents, businesses and organisations to create a better deal for Leigh.”