MEL Stride, Central Devon’s MP since 2010, has been re-selected as the Conservative’s parliamentary candidate to fight the seat in the General Election.

Mr Stride, who also serves as a government minister, was elected with 52 per cent of the vote share in 2015 with a majority of 21,265.

He said after his re-adoption: ‘I am delighted to have been reselected by local party members to fight Central Devon.

‘I have already been out campaigning right across our vast constituency speaking with local residents, listening to their concerns and discussing how a future Conservative government is best placed to deliver positively on Brexit.’

He added: ‘The choice at this election is clear – a Conservative majority government led by Theresa May focused on getting the best possible deal from the Brexit negotiations or Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister leading a coalition propped up by the Scottish Nationalists.’

Mr Stride also urged caution about not underestimating the challenge from the Labour Party.

He said: ‘In Central Devon Labour beat the Lib Dems at the last General Election in 2015 and there cannot be any complacency.

‘I am working flat out for every single vote and the only way residents can be sure of seeing Theresa May and not Jeremy Corbyn in Number 10 after June 8 is to vote Conservative.’

Central Devon Conservative Association chairman Mike Davies said: ‘Re-selecting Mel to be our candidate was a unanimous decision on the part of the local association.

‘He has been a superb MP for the past seven years, covering one of the most geographically challenging constituencies in the country and making a real difference to the lives of those he represents, whether campaigning for improved rail services, fighting for fairer funding for Devon schools or standing up for our farmers and much else.’