FORMER Waveney MP Bob Blizzard has been chosen by Labour to fight the seat at the next general election.

Mr Blizzard, who represented Waveney for 13 years until losing by just over 700 votes to Conservative Peter Aldous last year, was chosen as Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate by local party members last Friday.

Mr Blizzard, who was only the second Labour MP in history to represent Waveney, said: 'I'm delighted local Labour members have again put their faith in me. Lots of local people have told me they want me to stand again. It was disappointing to lose so narrowly last year, but as people are now seeing, month by month, the terrible impact of Tory/LibDem policies on our local community, the political tide is turning.

'Unemployment is rising again, after being at a record low for many years with Labour. Pensioners are about to face a big cut in their winter fuel allowance just as energy prices are soaring. Young people's hopes are being dashed by the trebling of university tuition fees, the loss of Education Maintenance Allowance and the abolition of the Future Jobs Fund. And despite all this pain, public debt is not reducing because the government has no plan for economic growth.'

Mr Blizzard, who lives in Lowestoft, was also leader of Waveney District Council for six years until he was elected to parliament in 1997.

'What drives me forward is a sense of unfinished business – delivering the full jobs potential in the offshore wind energy industry; regenerating the derelict land in the middle of Lowestoft; and campaigning for a proper third crossing, not a pointless footbridge,' he said.

'I will be out and about meeting people and listening to local views.'

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