News / Politics
Damien Egan beats Marvin Rees to become Labour’s Bristol North East candidate
Damien Egan has been selected as Labour’s candidate for Bristol North East, beating Bristol mayor Marvin Rees and Kingswood councillor Leigh Ingham.
The Lewisham mayor, who was born in Ireland but grew up in Kingswood and Staple Hill, was confirmed on Sunday as the winner of the party’s selection contest.
The vote was decided by Labour members who live within the newly-drawn parliamentary voting area, coming into force in 2024.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol North East is unusually made up of wards within two neighbouring local authorities, including Lockleaze, Eastville and Hillfields within Bristol City Council, and Staple Hill and Mangotsfield in South Glos.
Egan defeated favourite Rees, who had the backing of Labour figures and allies across the city including Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy and union UNISON.
?️ 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 @DamienEgan in #Bristol North East over coming months, to help win the seat and deliver a Labour Government
— Marvin Rees (@MarvinJRees) July 30, 2023
Confirming the loss on Twitter, Rees wrote: “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 @DamienEgan in #Bristol North East over coming months, to help win the seat and deliver a Labour Government.”
Bristol North East is the place that made me. My family’s here and I want to serve the people I grew up with, know and love.
There’s a better way to do politics. I’ll be the positive, committed, people-focused Labour MP that our community deserves.https://t.co/xvaZBE6WKa pic.twitter.com/8wDZjRp8iD
— Damien Egan (@damienegan) July 9, 2023
In his campaign video, Egan called Bristol North East “the place that made me”.
“At times, my family faced the difficulties of homelessness and living in temporary accommodation,” Egan said.
“And while work drew me towards London, my family is here and my heart never left.
“I want to serve the people that I grew up with, know and love, making a home here with my husband.”
It will be the first time Bristol North East will be contested when the next general election takes place.
Main photo: Damien Egan
Read next:
- Marvin Rees awarded honorary degree by Swansea University
- ‘There’s a better way to do politics and it starts with listening’
- 10 Questions: Marvin Rees – ‘I’m Bristol’s most transparent person’
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