Trans broadcaster to take on West Sussex MP in general election

A Sussex TV presenter has been selected to take on long-standing Conservative MP Tim Loughton for his East Worthing and Shoreham seat.

Labour's Sophie Cook would become the country's first ever transgender MP if she wins on June 8th.

The former RAF pilot turned newspaper editor and broadcaster faces a tough battle to take on Loughton who has held the seat since 1997.

In 2015 he secured 24,686 votes - a 49.5% majority, with Labour trailing in second with 9,737 votes.

UKIP came third with 8,267 votes, in fourth was the Lib Dems with 3,360 votes, the Greens with 2,605 votes came fifth and in last place National Health Action received 1,243 votes.

Cook is now calling for a "more diverse" society, she said: "The time is right, the time is now and we must all work together to achieve a more caring, more diverse society where everyone can live free from fear and where no one suffers from prejudice regardless of their gender, sexuality, gender identity, race, religion, disability or wealth.

"We need to work together to ensure that our children can grow up in a country where their health and education are priorities.

"Where there are jobs for their future and where difference is celebrated.

"And the Labour Party has pledged to build a million homes so that our children can in turn begin their own families in safety.

"Education for all, health care for all and homes for all.

"The time for change is now, a united Labour Party working for a United Kingdom. Be the change that you want to see in the world."

Loughton is promising an "enthusiastic campaign".

Following Prime Minister's Theresa May's decision to call a snap General Election he said: "For months our opponents have been claiming that Theresa May does not have a proper mandate because she was not elected as Prime Minister at the last general election.

"This has threatened to detract from the strength of Britain's position when negotiating Brexit and also as an excuse to revisit the position of Scotland in the Union, amongst other things.

"This now puts Britain's future after Brexit front and centre for the British people. A strong vote for a re-elected Conservative government will send a very clear message to our EU partners that there can be no doubt about where our future lies and our determination to secure the best deal that is in the interests of all of the British people and is mutually good for Europe too.

"A vote for any other party can only undermine that."