Kelly Tolhurst has tonight been selected as the Conservative candidate for the Rochester and Strood by-election, following a postal primary allowing local people in the constituency to help us choose our candidate.
Kelly Tolhurst said:
"I'm honoured that thousands of local people have voted to select me as the Conservative candidate for the upcoming by-election.
"I've lived in the area my whole life, went to school here and run a small business here. I'm not a career politician and would never want to represent anywhere else in Parliament.
"My six point plan to improve our area includes action, not just talk, on immigration, getting Medway Hospital out of special measures and fighting to stop the development at Lodge Hill.
"I will be a strong local voice, standing up for Rochester and Strood – my home."
Anna Firth said:
"The postal primary was a fantastic process to be involved in and my congratulations to Kelly who is going to be a superb candidate. I look forward to campaigning with her over the coming weeks in Rochester and Strood."
Andrew Mackness, Chairman of Rochester and Strood Conservatives, said:
"The people of Rochester and Strood have made their choice – thanks to the open primary, which put them in the driver's seat.
"They've chosen a candidate they know will fight their corner and put their interests at the heart of everything they do in Westminster.
"Kelly will make a great MP for our great constituency, and I look forward to supporting her in the coming weeks to ensure a Conservative win and a bright future for this area."