At a meeting of the Hastings and Rye Labour party, last Saturday at the White Rock Theatre, four candidates – including just one woman – were put through their paces to decide who should be the parliamentary candidate to challenge for the seat at the next General Election. Chaired by former Hastings and Rye MP Michael Foster, the meeting heard the three male candidates – Peter Chowney, Nik Slingsby and Arran Neathy – set out their stalls, with a report from Kim Forward, the female candidate who was unable to attend, read out. All four said they were concerned about social injustice and deprivation, and wanted to fight for better education for young people.
After a question and answer session, the vote took place and Peter Chowney was elected as the candidate for the second time.
At the last General Election, Conservative Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, held the seat with a reduced majority of 346.
Photo: Heidi Foster