Lib Dems announce MP candidates for Sunderland constituencies

Wearside Liberal Democrats have announced that three city councillors will contest Sunderland constituencies at the next General Election.

Millfield and Thornholme councillor Niall Hodson has been announced by the Liberal Democrats as the party's candidate to become the next MP for Sunderland Central.

Niall lives in Thornhill with his wife Francesca and leads the opposition Liberal Democrats group on Sunderland Council.

Grindon and Thorney Close councillor Paul Edgeworth has been selected as Parliamentary candidate for the Houghton and Sunderland South constituency.

Paul, who contested the same constituency in 2017 and 2019, works as Campaigns Manager for not-for-profit consumer organisation CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

Ciaran Morrissey works as a commercial underwriter and was elected as Lib Dem councillor for Hendon and Grangetown in 2021. Ciaran has been selected as the party's MP candidate for the Washington and Sunderland West constituency.

Commenting, Sunderland Central Lib Dem candidate Niall Hodson said:

"For too long we've had an MP who takes their position for granted, who is invisible in our communities and who fails to stand up to the Labour administration in charge of Sunderland City Council. I'm standing to be Sunderland Central's next MP because I want to change all that. I'd make sure I spent every day in Westminster fighting for jobs, investment and improvements for our city, being a tireless voice for Sunderland in Parliament."

Houghton and Sunderland South candidate Paul Edgeworth said:

"We know that we need a change from this shambolic Conservative Government - but for too long Labour MPs for communities on Wearside have been allowed to get away with doing next to nothing instead of fighting for jobs, investment and improvements for Sunderland.

"As Parliamentary candidate for Houghton and Sunderland South I will provide a strong Lib Dem alternative standing up in Parliament for the best interests of local people against a heartless Conservative government and against decades of complacency and neglect from local Labour MPs and councillors."

Lib Dem candidate for Washington and Sunderland West Ciaran Morrissey said:

"Over the past few years local Lib Dems been working on the council to fight against bad decisions, cuts to vital services and disgraceful wasteful spending by Labour-run Sunderland Council. If elected as Lib Dem MP I'll continue to speak out about, and stand up to, Sunderland Council and to the Government so that local people's voices across Sunderland and Washington are listened to."