TWO of the contenders vying to represent Worcester for Labour in the next general election have launched their campaigns.

Labour hopefuls Roh Yakobi and Mark Williams have both unveiled their intention to stand at the next general election which must take place no later than January 2025.

The city has been represented by Conservative Robin Walker since 2010 after defeating Mike Foster – who was the first and last Labour MP to be elected in Worcester having held the seat for 13 years from 1997.

Robin Walker won again in 2015 and 2017 to keep hold of the seat for the Conservatives – finishing in front of Labour’s Joy Squires on both occasions with majorities of 5,646 and 2,508 – before defeating the city’s now Labour leader Lynn Denham with over half the vote and a 6,758 majority in 2019.

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Roh Yakobi fled Afghanistan after being captured and tortured as a 12-year-old child by the Taliban and arrived in Britain in 2004.

He said representing the city for Labour would be “the greatest honour of his life.”

"I came to the UK as a refugee, not speaking English,” he said. “I took time to learn the language and positively integrate into British society.

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"I have studied the culture, the history, the politics and our country's place in the world and deeply understand what people's lives are and what they are going through.

"I believe I can make a real difference in representing Worcester in Westminster and beyond, if given the privilege. I have a fighting spirit because giving up has never been an option for me.”

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Mark Williams, who lives in London but grew up and attended school in Droitwich and served as a Southwark councillor between 2011 and 2018, said a victory for Labour in Worcester was essential if the party was to kick the Tories out of Downing Street at the next election.

“We’ve got to win Worcester full stop,” he said. “The Conservatives have run out of road and the country needs a change. I will be taking the fight to them.

“I know the city very well. I think I am the best candidate, I have the experience and I know how to win.”