THE Labour party has announced its candidate to stand in the general election in Christchurch.

Joanna Howard will be standing against Conservative incumbent Sir Christopher Chope.

She said it was an ‘honour and a privilege’ to be standing.

“It is time for change and I will do all I can to bring that change in Christchurch,” Joanna said.

“Christchurch and East Dorset is a great area and has so much to offer, but it has been let down by more than a decade of neglect by successive Conservative governments.

“Christchurch is facing down the culmination of the cost of living crisis, the climate crisis and a crisis in our public services.

“As a mother and a daughter, I experience the record high NHS waiting times and the difficulty of accessing our GP.

“I have seen firsthand the rise in crime and anti-social behaviour. Our high streets and town centre are in decline, and our energy bills and food costs are up.”

The candidate said she was ‘devastated’ at sewage being pumped into rivers and seas ‘at an alarming rate’ and that ‘this amazing place we call home is not being looked after for future generations’.

“This is the election of a lifetime, and it could not be more important,” Joanna said.

“The Conservatives have lost people’s trust, crashed our economy and run our public services into the ground.

“As we prepare for the General Election on 4 July 2024, I believe that together we can win in BCP.

“I am working hard in Christchurch and with our neighbouring constituencies to share Labour's message so that together we can bring Labour MP’s to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to work to ensure all of our communities fulfil their potential.”