THE Labour Party have selected Sarah Church to fight the next general election for South Swindon.

The former Army major has vowed to oppose the government’s cuts to public services and has promised to “work tirelessly” for the people of South Swindon.

In a statement, she said: “Swindon is my adopted home town. My grandfather was born in Swindon to a GWR family and I am proud and pleased to have settled with my husband and three daughters in the Swindon area.

“I am delighted to stand as our candidate and will do all I can take the seat for Labour.”

Sarah came just 2,464 votes behind Tory Candidate Robert Buckland in the election in June, slashing the Conservative majority by more than half and achieving a 9 per cent swing in her favour.

The next general election is due to take place in May 2022, and the South Swindon seat will be a key battleground.

Sarah has championed a number of causes in Swindon in recent years, heading up the successful Save Swindon Libraries campaign that safeguarded the future of the Town’s libraries, as well as working with the Swindon branch of Keep Our NHS Public.

She is currently supporting the town’s Labour councillors to campaign against undemocratic housing development, and taking part in the national campaign to increase schools funding.

Taking aim at the government’s austerity programmes, she said: “This Tory government has overseen the biggest cuts to our public services in a generation.

“The NHS and social care are in crisis, our schools are struggling under the weight of the budget cuts and reduced police budgets are putting our safety at risk.”

She added: “People here in South Swindon need a local representative that will put them first.

“I will work tirelessly between now and the next election to let local people know that the general election will be an opportunity to vote for a Labour Party that will stand up for the many not the few.”