LABOUR Party members have selected Natasha Millward as their best chance of unseating Dudley South Tory MP Chris Kelly at the next General Election.

The 35-year-old Unison organiser from Gornal has been selected as Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for the key battleground seat of Dudley South (covering Kingswinford, Wordsley, Wall Heath, Brierley Hill, Pensnett and Brockmoor) where Mr Kelly has a majority of 3,856.

Natasha, who is a governor at Dudley College where she used to work, said it was an “honour” to have been selected, adding: “I grew up in the Black Country, what happens here is important to me.”

She said she plans to challenge her Conservative opponent “to tell local people why his Tory-led Government cut taxes for millionaires, whilst ordinary families are squeezed” and she added: “I won’t just talk about change, but I’ll actively fight for it.”

Campaigning for jobs and growth will be high on her agenda, particularly opportunities for young people - which she said named as her “number one priority”.

Tipton-born Natasha, who was the first person in her family to go to university, continued: “I will fight to make sure local young people have the opportunities they deserve.

“I will work with Labour-run Dudley Council to build on the good work they are doing and create more opportunities for our young people.

“The young people I meet are hardworking and enthusiastic, but are been let down by this Tory-led Government.

“Young people have seen tuition fees treble and EMA cut. We need to give our young people some hope.

“Giving young people a helping hand and chance by creating local apprenticeships would be my first step.”

A West Midlands Labour Party spokesperson said: “Dudley South needs a change of direction. Natasha Millward is just the person to bring it.

“Natasha Millward is a fantastic campaigner. She has got everything needed to take on the Tories and win the seat back for Labour. She is a formidable opponent for Chris Kelly.”