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South Cambridgeshire Tory MP Anthony Browne to contest new St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire seat at next General Election




South Cambridgeshire’s Conservative MP Anthony Browne will contest the new St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire seat at the next General Election, after what he described as the “hardest decision” of his life.

It follows a decision by the Boundary Commission to change the constituencies in the area to reflect population growth.

Anthony Browne MP at the selection panel
Anthony Browne MP at the selection panel

From the next General Election, due by the end of January 2025, the existing South Cambridgeshire constituency will retain its name, but will not extend as far north in the west of the county but will include new areas to the south of Cambridge.

Meanwhile, the new St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire seat will feature St Neots, Cambourne, Northstowe and many villages to the north of the A428.

A panel of local Conservative Party members convened to interview Mr Browne, who gave a short speech before a vote confirmed his selection.

Mr Browne said he was “delighted and honoured” and added: “Choosing which Parliamentary seat to apply for has been the hardest decision of my life.

“I have a deep emotional attachment to South Cambridgeshire, but my constituency is being cut in two following the Boundary Review.”

Pippa Heylings, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for South Cambridgeshire, was left surprised by the decision and suggested Mr Browne was “running scared”.

But Mr Browne said: “I have had to make a choice of which side to go for, and I decided to stand in the area where I believe my current campaigns can make the greatest difference for local people on the biggest local challenges.

“It is where I have lived most of the time since the last election, and I will be standing again as MP for many of the communities I currently represent, from Girton to Papworth Everard, from Longstanton to Caldecote, from Bar Hill to Swavesey, as well as the new towns of Cambourne and Northstowe. I am already MP for nearly half the new constituency - it has 15 wards, and I am currently MP for seven of them.

Anthony Browne MP. Picture: Keith Heppell
Anthony Browne MP. Picture: Keith Heppell

“St Neots, Cambourne and Northstowe are at the forefront of an enormous development drive. In the coming years, the residents of these growing towns and the villages that surround them, will need the support of a strong and dedicated local MP to represent the needs of their communities.

“I have been tackling the many threats to our way of life – water shortages, community facilities, transport infrastructure and a lack of affordable housing. I know I have the experience and track-record to take on this challenge and I very much hope that residents will give me the opportunity to do so.

“South Cambridgeshire constituency is where I went to school and got married, and will forever hold a very special place in my heart. I will always be enormously grateful to the voters who put their faith in me to represent them.

“Being the member of Parliament for such a fantastic constituency continues to be the greatest honour of my life and I am fully committed to supporting my constituents in the current South Cambridgeshire seat for as long as I remain their MP.

“In due course, I very much look forward to welcoming the new Conservative candidate for South Cambridgeshire and to working with them to ensure their victory at the next general election.”

Cllr Richard Williams, chairman of South Cambridgeshire Conservatives, added: "I know members in the area of the new seat will be delighted that Anthony has been adopted as their candidate for the next general election.

“Like many MPs whose seats have been split, Anthony has faced a difficult decision. He has been an excellent MP for our association and will of course continue to represent the whole of the current South Cambs Constituency up until the next General Election. He has a deep affection for our area, and I have no doubt he will continue to champion the interests of our county as an outstanding MP for the area in the next Parliament.”

Nigel Eaton, chairman of Huntingdon Constituency Conservative Association, said: ”I’m delighted that Anthony has been selected to fight the new seat in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire. He brings a great deal of campaigning experience to the town, and clearly struck a chord with members in the meeting as a committed, active, and knowledgeable candidate. I’m looking forward to working with him in the area, and I know St Neots will get behind Anthony and I look forward to seeing him elected as their MP.”

It is not yet known who will compete in South Cambridgeshire for the Tories, who lost control of the district council at 2019 elections but have traditionally dominated the constituency at General Elections.

Cllr Heylings, who represents Histon and Impington on the council, said of Mr Browne’s decision: “This latest move is just further proof that he is a careerist, more interested in protecting his political career than in continuing to fight for local people in the area and stand by his government's record.

Cllr Pippa Heylings, the Lib Dems' Parliamentary candidate for South Cambridgeshire, talking to residents on the doorstep. Picture: Chris Siddell
Cllr Pippa Heylings, the Lib Dems' Parliamentary candidate for South Cambridgeshire, talking to residents on the doorstep. Picture: Chris Siddell

“On doorstep after doorstep, South Cambs residents are telling me that they have lost all faith in the Conservative party to stand up for their interests and deliver on the issues that matter - whether that's on the cost of living or our NHS.

“Voters in South Cambridgeshire are abandoning the Conservatives and flocking to the Liberal Democrats; Anthony Browne knows this and he's on the run.

“As for me and my team, this changes nothing. We aren't taking anything or anyone for granted. Instead, I'll continue to work day in, day out for South Cambridgeshire - to stand up for residents suffering from the Conservative cost of living crisis, to fight for a fairer deal for NHS patients and staff, to protect our local environment and fight against climate change. That's what the people of South Cambridgeshire deserve from their MP.

“At the next General Election in South Cambs, it will be a clear choice between the Liberal Democrats and yet another Conservative who puts their own career ahead of local people and our future.”

The new St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire seat will include the district council wards of Bar Hill, Caldecote, Cambourne, Caxton and Papworth, Fenstanton, Girton, Great Paxton, Histon and Impington, Longstanton, Over and Willingham, Swavesey, and all St Neots wards including Little Paxton.

The revised South Cambridgeshire constituency will include the district council wards of Balsham, Barrington, Bassingbourn, Cherry Hinton, Duxford, Fen Ditton and Fulbourn, Foxton, Gamlingay, Hardwick, Harston and Comberton, Linton, Melbourn, Queen Edith’s, Sawston, Shelford, The Mordens and Whittlesford.



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