Hucknall councillor announces he will stand to be town's next MP at the general election

Coun Waters (Ash Ind), who represents Hucknall South at County Hall and Hucknall Central on Ashfield Council, made the announcement at a heated Nottinghamshire Council budget meeting on February 22.

He is set to be the only candidate standing to represent Hucknall who actually lives in the town.

The seat is currently held by the Conservative Mark Spencer.

At the council budget meeting, Coun Waters supported the Independent Alliance’s, ultimately defeated, amendment to sell land in and around Toton earmarked for the now scrapped HS2 northern leg to raise an extra £20m to fix the county’s roads and pavements.

Speaking at the meeting, Coun Waters said: “With the general election a matter of months away, it is important that residents understand that their politicians listen to them and use their platform to act on them.

“The Conservatives and Labour have failed us and that’s why I am delighted to announce that I will be putting my name forward for the role as the next MP for the new Sherwood Forest constituency, that includes Hucknall.

"I will stand as an Independent, as someone who can put their hand on heart and say I try everything within my power to deal with resident's biggest complaint, our highways.

"The Tories and Labour parties cannot say the same and I will have no hesitation in reminding residents.”

Speaking after the meeting, he continued: “More and more residents have got in touch with me asking if I’ll stand in the forthcoming general election.

"I am pleased that I have now been formally selected by more than 500 Ashfield Independents members and across the Sherwood Constituency.

“If I am elected to Parliament, I will lead the fight to regenerate places like Hucknall, Blidworth and Rainworth, areas left behind by the current Tory Government and the Labour one before them.

"I will immediately use the position to get talks about a super health centre in Hucknall back on track after the NHS paused it and fight to make Hucknall safer, greener, cleaner and stronger.”