Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees loses bid to stand for Labour at next General Election in new seat

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees has lost out in the race to be the Labour candidate for a new MP constituency in the next general election.

He will not represent the city in the House of Commons after Labour members selected another candidate.

Mr Rees was one of three people in the running to represent Bristol North East alongside Lewisham Mayor Damien Egan and South Gloucestershire councillor Leigh Ingham.

Following a final hustings event that took place on Sunday July 30 at the Bristol Metropolitan Academy in Fishponds, around 700 party members voted on who they would like to stand for the seat at the next General Election.

On Twitter this afternoon, Mr Rees confirmed Mr Egan had been selected, edging out himself and Cllr Ingham.

Mr Rees tweet said: "It's an honour to serve as the elected Mayor of my home city – and we're working hard to keep #DeliveringForBristol. Look forward to campaigning for Damien Egan in #Bristol North East over coming months, to help win the seat and deliver a Labour Government."

Following his victory, Mr Egan, who grew up in Kingswood New Cheltenham and Staple Hill said: "I’m proud and honoured to have won the support of Labour members in Bristol North East. Bristol North East is where I’m from and I can’t wait to get on the doorstep and meet everyone, hear what issues matter most and talk about the difference a Labour Government can make."

When launching his bid to be the Labour candidate, Mr Egan said there was "a better way to do politics".

"What I’m hearing from people is that there must be a better way, I believe there is a better way, and it has to be people-focussed and community-focussed and we want to see Labour back in the grassroots again, talking to people with close relationships where everyone feels they are making a difference."

He added that his family and friends lived in the constituency and it is where he wants to live. He said the selection process was going to be tough and added: "It’s just about being able to speak to people and hopefully I can earn their trust and earn their votes."

It will be the first time the Bristol North East parliamentary seat will be contested when the next General Election takes place. The seat itself will not officially exist until the new year.