CANDIDATES have put their hats in the ring to contest Alcester and Studley’s Conservative incumbent MP Nadhim Zahawi at next month’s snap General Election.

Election hopeful Professor Jeff Kenner has pledged to reverse "devastating cuts" to education.

Professor Kenner, who stood against Mr Zahawi in the 2015 General Election, received 6,677 votes, coming third. 

He was pipped to the post by Mr Zahawi who won with 29,674 votes and Edward Fila (UKIP) with 6,798, who came second. 

"If elected, I’ll write immediately to the Secretary of State for Education demanding a reversal of the devastating cuts to our schools," said Professor Kenner.

"Alcester Grammar School is projected to lose £691 per pupil and 10 teachers. Labour will invest in schools, reverse the cuts and reduce class sizes."

He also said he would call for "intervention" to stop the further loss of services at the Horton and Alexandra hospitals.

Also re-standing, is Lib Dem candidate Liz Adams. She also stood in the 2015 General Election, coming fourth with 6,182 votes. 

Local Mum, Ms Adams, is campaigning to stop cuts to school funding.
She has launched a petition calling on the Government and the Conservative MP to stop the cuts to school funding.

The petition urges the Government to give schools the funding they need to deliver the best education for children.

To sign the petition go to lizdem.com/stop_school_cuts.

Dominic Giles will also once again join the fight after placing fifth in the 2015 election, with 2,128 votes. 

The pro-European teacher has vowed to fight for properly funded public services and an end to austerity.

He has pledged to fight for the NHS, scrap tuition fees, re-instating the Education Maintenance Allowance, build affordable socially rented homes and introducing rent controls, protect worker's rights, remaining in the Single Market and demanding a ratification referendum. 

He has also promised to invest in renewables and opposing nuclear energy, fracking and Trident. 

Stratford-on-Avon Conservatives said they were "delighted" that Mr Zahawi was unanimously re-adopted as the Conservative candidate. 

A spokesman added: "He has worked hard for the constituency these last seven years and has helped many constituents with their problems. Now we need to ensure we get behind the Prime Minister in securing a good deal with Brexit and we know Nadhim can help with that."