The Wokingham Liberal Democrats have officially chosen former council leader Clive Jones as their candidate for the next general election.

Clive Jones said that the election – likely to take place next year – represents 'our best chance to get the first Liberal Democrat MP for Wokingham'.

Councillor Jones had already launched his bid to become MP in March last year. He stood down as council leader this May to concentrate on his campaign.

Now the party has formally chosen him as its candidate for the new Wokingham seat in boundary changes likely to be brought in at the next election.

Councillor Jones said: “I am delighted to have been confirmed as the Lib Dem candidate for Wokingham at the next general election.

“The response to our campaign has been very positive and I am grateful to the many Green and Labour party supporters who say they will lend me their vote to help ensure that Wokingham gets its first ever Liberal Democrat MP.

“Residents are telling me they need an MP who will fight for a properly funded NHS, more funding for schools, the Police and Ambulance services and for local government. They agree with me that our public services are in serious need of repair.”

He added: “I canvassed this afternoon and people were very positive.

“We were talking to them about the cost of living crisis, and the pollution of our rivers. I was in Charvil today and people were really not happy at all.”

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Wokingham Liberal Democrats chair Adrian Betteridge said the Liberal Democrats have “every chance” of replacing the current Conservative MP John Redwood.

He said: “We are talking with thousands of residents every month and hearing a huge desire for change, nationally and locally.  Wokingham needs a hard-working, committed MP who will represent our interests.”

The next general election is likely to take place in 2024—or January 28, 2025, at the very latest. If Jones is successful, his election would herald the first time that Wokingham has not had a Conservative MP since the constituency was created in 1950.

Jones came third when he stood as MP in 2015 and 2017. But he told the BBC in May this year that he was “absolutely sure that in 2024 it’s going to be a different result.”

When asked by the LDRS in May, Mr Redwood said he does not comment on what voters plan to do in coming elections.