On Friday North East Somerset Liberal Democrats selected former teacher and Paulton resident Wera Hobhouse as their candidate for the General Election in May 2015.
Wera has a long record of successfully campaigning on local issues, having saved library buildings and helped deliver play areas when she was last a Councillor.
The Hobhouses are an old Somerset family, and Wera moved to Paulton with her husband so that they could be closer to older family members once her children had grown and left home.
Wera said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected to stand up for local residents in North East Somerset. We have such a wonderful variety of towns and villages across this area, with different heritages and priorities.
“I want to promote a thriving economy for these areas, so that employers are attracted not just to Bristol or Bath but to our home too. That’s why I support the Lib Dem-run Council who have got the regeneration projects in Radstock, Keynsham and elsewhere off the ground.”
She added: “As a former teacher, education is one of my top priorities. The Lib Dems have invested an extra over £10million in BANES schools, funding teaching assistants, IT systems, school trips and more.
“I want to see that keep making a difference, and to make sure teachers’ voices are heard when it comes to making policy changes.”
Wera is also a strong environmental campaigner, and has supported the successful Liberal Democrat campaign to prevent fracking in Bath and North East Somerset.
On hearing the news, Paul Crossley, Leader of BANES Council said: “I am thrilled that Wera has been selected to champion the people of North East Somerset.
“I know she will fight tirelessly for residents across the area, and will be a brilliant voice for them.”
