Chepstow Mayor Selected To Stand For Liberal Democrats

12.00.00am GMT Mon 24th Jan 2005

Mayor of Chepstow, Phil Hobson, has been selected as the Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate in the Monmouth constituency for the forthcoming general election, now expected to be in May.

At a packed meeting of Liberal Democrat members in Monmouth, Phil Hobson was selected in a hotly contested race between three candidates. The three hopefuls faced questions on crime, the health service, international terrorism, population and immigration, global warming, pensions and house prices in Monmouthshire. Under a system of one member one vote, Phil Hobson emerged as the front runner and was duly confirmed as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.

Phil Hobson is currently the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Monmouthshire County Council. He has stood on previous occasions for the Welsh Assembly and Parliament and as an experienced election campaigner, he will present a strong challenge to both Labour and the Conservatives.

Phil Hobson was born and raised in Chepstow and at 36 is one of the youngest people to hold the office of Mayor in Gwent. He became a councillor on Monmouthshire County council by gaining the previously safe Conservative ward of Larkfield in Chepstow. He has a long history of political achievement having been a Chepstow Town councillor for many years.

His career in business administration and management has seen him work in the telecoms and publishing industries. He is also well traveled, having 'back-packed' around the world and spent time living overseas. He has spent extended periods in France and Spain, in order to improve his Spanish and French, which he says is helping him in learning Welsh.

Michael German, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Welsh Assembly said: "Phil will prove to be a formidable candidate in the Monmouth constituency. He has a record of service as a councillor and this puts him in good stead to be the Monmouth constituency's MP."

Charles Kennedy MP, the Liberal Democrat leader, congratulated Phil Hobson upon his selection, "Phil's business career and life experience make him the ideal choice to be Monmouth's MP in the general election. He would be a good addition to our parliamentary team in the House of Commons."