AS the country gears up for a general election both Tories and Labour in Devizes will be fielding new candidates.

Sitting MP Claire Perry O'Neill announced in September that she would not be seeking re-election but the Conservatives have still not agreed who the new prospective candidate will be.

They have narrowed it down to a short list of: Sir Ashley Fox, Danny Kruger, Antonia Cox, Laura Farris, Dominic Morris and Rupert Harrison.

A spokesman said the final decision would be made by Conservative party members on November 17 unless 'national events necessitate an earlier date.'

Brigadier Peter Sharpe, chairman of Devizes Constituency Conservative Association, said: “The process to select a Candidate has taken longer than we would have liked however we now have six excellent candidates who will give members a real choice of who they would like to be their candidate in the next General Election. "I look forward to an exciting selection meeting next month and in doing so would like to thank Claire Perry for all that she has done for the Party and constituency over the past ten years.”

But the wait to find out who will represent Labour is over. The party announced today that Rachael Ross will represent them in Devizes.

Rachael lives locally in the Pewsey Vale with her husband, Rob, and runs a leadership and consultancy business.

She has lived and worked in the Devizes area for over 25 years, bringing up her two grown up children and has been active in her local village community over that period. She is a Trustee of local Devizes charity Opendoors.

Rachael is Chair of the Devizes Constituency Labour Party and she has worked with local parents to help organise a cross party campaign to challenge the closure of Oxenwood and Braeside outdoor education centres.

Rachael said: “Working with parents to challenge the closures was very inspiring and shows how people power can bring about real change”.

After her selection, Rachael said: “Being selected to represent Labour in the Devizes Constituency is an honour, and I will campaign hard for a better future for everyone, not just the privileged few. My hope and ambition is to help overcome fractured national divisions, and to bring Labour’s bold vision for change and our ‘green new deal’ home to everyone throughout the constituency.”