Middlesbrough Liberal Democrats have selected a local jobs expert as their candidate for the upcoming Parliamentary by-election in the constituency.

George Selmer, who grew up and went to school in Middlesbrough, has outlined his plan for the town – focusing on jobs, housing and safeguarding local facilities under threat from Labour cuts.

Commenting on his selection, George said:

We need an MP who will tackle the shocking local housing problems and who will fight against the cuts imposed by the Labour council.

Most importantly, we need an MP who will work to bring more jobs and investment to the area. I’ve spent my career helping people back into work and I can do the same for Middlesbrough.

You only have to look next door, to Redcar, to see the difference a Lib Dem MP can make. While youth unemployment is rocketing here, it’s actually falling in Redcar.

There is fantastic potential in Middlesbrough. Local people deserve an MP who will give everything to help them fulfil that potential.

Ian Swales, Lib Dem MP for neighbouring Redcar, said:

Labour have taken the people of Middlesbrough for granted for decades. It’s time for a change.

The Lib Dems finished second in the town at the last General Election and this by-election is shaping up to be a straight fight between us and Labour.

Local people should grasp the opportunity to elect an MP with a proven track record of getting people back to work. As we saw in Redcar, once people realise how complacent and incompetent the Labour party are, they look to the Lib Dems as the party fighting to help and support hard-working families.

You can follow George Selmer on Twitter @GeorgeSelmer.