Former Conservative candidate rules out standing in another General Election – “I’ve given it everything I’ve got”

A perennial local candidate for the Conservative party has said he has ‘given it everything’ and will not be standing again to attempt to be the town’s MP.

With UK wide reports of candidate selections taking place in the Conservative party in preparation for a snap election, we enquired with previous local candidate and now executive board member, Andrew Atkinson, to see if he would be standing again for MP in Wrexham.

Mr Atkinson has stood in both the 2015 and 2017 General Election and has twice been runner up to MP Ian Lucas.

Mr Atkinson also stood as a Conservative candidate in the 2016 Welsh Assembly election and lost, however stood for Wrexham Council in 2017 and won the Gresford seat and is now on the council’s executive board as lead member for youth services and anti-poverty.

When asked if he plans to stand as the Conservative candidate in any future General Election in Wrexham, Cllr Atkinson told us: “The short answer is no.

“The longer answer starts with thank you. I really do want to thank everybody that’s helped me and supported me and my campaigns in so many different ways and of course everyone that has put their trust in me with their votes. I’m extremely grateful.

“It’s not been an easy decision to make but over three elections I’ve given it everything I’ve got.

“I really enjoy being councillor for Gresford and my role on the Executive Board and I hope that in these roles I can make a real difference for Gresford and for Wrexham.

“It’s been a real privilege and honour to stand for my hometown and I will continue to work hard and do my best for our area in every way I can.”