THE Yorkshire Party has announced its candidate to contest the Batley & Spen by-election.

Corey Robinson, from Heckmondwike, has been picked to run for the seat vacated by new West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.

A medical research engineer and keen rugby league player, Mr Robinson said: “Many local people feel disenfranchised with mainstream party politics, which is why as the Yorkshire Party we need to show people that we are different.

“We are fighting for power and decision making to be moved away from Westminster and for it to be closer to those it impacts.

“Most of the people I knew growing up were not politically active, and many did not vote because they perceived that regardless of who you voted for, nothing would change.

“It is my ambition to use my understanding of the community and my connections there to engage with the Batley and Spen constituents to show that the Yorkshire Party offers a viable alternative.”

Other candidates announced so far are Labour’s Kim Leadbeater, the sister of murdered MP Jo Cox, and the Conservatives’ Ryan Stephenson.

The Yorkshire Party’s leader Bob Buxton, who claimed a shock third place result in the West Yorkshire mayoral election, added: “Corey is knowledgeable and passionate about local issues.

“He was born in the constituency, he knows it in-side-out, he understands problems with transport, air pollution and a lack of social housing and starter homes.

“Unlike other parties, our whole membership voted for who our candidate should be.

“We chose Corey for his professional talents in medicine and engineering and because we believe local knowledge is important.”