March 2023, Maidstone, Kent: In a meeting at the Orida Hotel in Maidstone last Friday, a committee of Conservative Party members voted overwhelmingly to adopt Mrs Grant as their candidate in a new seat, called Maidstone & Malling, for the next election.
Since 2010 Helen Grant has fought four General Elections for the constituency of Maidstone & The Weald, achieving the largest majority in the seat’s history in 2019. But following changes put forward by the Boundaries Commission to even-up the numbers of electors in constituencies across the UK, Mrs Grant’s current seat has been changed significantly.
The Wealden wards to the south of the river Medway and Maidstone town are becoming part of a new Weald of Kent seat – which has yet to select a candidate. These are being replaced by 6 wards to the west of Maidstone, four from the Tonbridge & Malling seat currently held by Tom Tugendhat, and two from Tracey Crouch’s Chatham & Aylesford constituency.
After her re-adoption success Helen said ‘I am thrilled and honoured to have been selected to fight the brilliant new Maidstone & Malling seat for the Conservative Party at the next general election. I am grateful to the selection committee members from the three associations that make up the new seat for their warmth, enthusiasm and support’.
Mr Robert Findon, who organised the selection meeting and is the election agent for the new seat said ‘I'm delighted that Helen has been re-adopted as the Conservative Party Candidate for the new Maidstone and Malling seat at the next General Election. She has a fantastic track record, has consistently put her constituents' needs first, and is a tireless campaigner. In Helen, if re-elected, the constituents of the new seat will be represented by a top-class MP.’
Mrs Sally-Ann Marks, Chairman of the existing Maidstone & The Weald Conservative Association, said ‘I am delighted that Helen Grant OBE MP has been adopted as the Parliamentary Candidate for the future Constituency of Maidstone & Malling and I congratulate her on the resounding support she received at her adoption meeting.
This is excellent news for all the residents of the Maidstone & Malling areas who will have the benefit of a hard-working, energetic and dedicated candidate and hopefully, as their future MP.
Helen will continue to serve the residents in the southern part of the current Maidstone and the Weald Constituency as their MP until the next election, when a new MP will be elected in the brand-new seat of 'The Weald of Kent'.
