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From Ilkley Gazette, November 28th, 2022
Written by Claire Lomax

FORMER Keighley and Ilkley Labour MP John Grogan has been chosen by the party to contest the seat again at the next general election.

He was selected during a meeting at Keighley's Central Hall yesterday (November 27), which saw more than 300 party members take part in a vote.

Mr Grogan served as Keighley and Ilkley MP for two years, until 2019, and had previously represented Selby between 1997 and 2010.

He says: "Keighley and Ilkley is a classic marginal seat. It is 23rd on the target list of seats for Labour at the next general election in terms of the swing required. I feel a big responsibility to win this seat for Labour again and help put Keir Starmer into Number 10 Downing Street.

"We need a competent Labour Government with a plan for a fairer and greener Britain.

"Since 1983, when it was first contested, Keighley and Ilkley has been a two-horse race between Labour and the Conservatives. I look forward to robust, but always civil, debates with the current Member of Parliament. On some issues – such as the need to rebuild Airedale Hospital, which I first raised during the last Parliament – I hope we will be able to work together."