MEL Stride, who has served as Member of Parliament for Central Devon since 2010 has been re-adopted as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate to contest the seat in the next General Election, which is scheduled for May 5, 2022.

Mr Stride also serves as Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General within HM Treasury.

He was re-elected with 54 per cent of the vote share in 2017 with a majority of 15,680. Labour came second with 27 per cent.

Mr Stride said: “It has been a huge privilege to represent Central Devon in Parliament for the past nine years.

“Being one of the largest and most rural constituencies in England we face significant challenges here especially in terms of public transport links, healthcare provision and the future of our market towns in the face of increased competition from online retailers – all issues I will continue to work hard on.”

Following the selection meeting Mel met with representatives from Great Western Railway regarding the future of an Okehampton to Exeter rail service, after which he drove to Ashburton to meet with Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Hospital’s League of Friends Chairman Sarah Parker-Khan and then visited a new business in the town which opened in February.

Following the meeting the Chairman of the Central Devon Conservative Association Rev Mike Davies added: “I am delighted that Mel was re-adopted by our Association this afternoon.

“He has been an outstanding MP and member of the government, working hard for the past nine years, covering one of the most geographically challenging constituencies in the country and making a real difference to the lives of those he represents.”