A new candidate has been chose by the Labour Party to contest the Truro and Falmouth Constituency at the general election.

Stuart Roden has been a member of the Party for more than 40 years and has held many senior posts in the local constituency.

He replaces Hanna Toms who stood down as a candidate after she admitted overclaiming benefits.

Read the story here: Wannabe MP for Falmouth and Truro withdrew from election race over falsely claiming benefits

Mr Roden is employed as a full time official for the national trade union UNISON and is a "regular commentator on the public sector in Cornwall and a well know figure in local politics".

He has extensive experience of the NHS and local government having previously been an NHS worker and a member of a district health authority. He is a Truro city councillor and a former Mayor of Truro in 2005/6. He lives in Truro.

Truro and Falmouth CLP chair Candy Atherton said “I am delighted that the members of Truro and Falmouth Labour Party have selected Stuart as their candidate. With his wealth of knowledge of issues locally in both our NHS and local government Stuart will be an effective MP for the people of Cornwall. He will be a champion for local people and a powerful voice in Westminster for the area.”

Following his selection Stuart Roden said “I am delighted to have received the unanimous support of the local members. The last 5 years of the coalition have been disastrous for Cornwall. I see every day in my work the effect it has had on decent working families either losing their jobs or having cuts to their pay.

"This has also had a disastrous impact on living standards with many families living hand to mouth. I also see at first hand the terrible impact that the coalition changes to the NHS have made. Over the last week the system has been in meltdown and our local hospitals amongst some of the worst performing in the country.

“We need a fundamental change in direction after the election to stop the worst effects of austerity and to stop the decline of our NHS and public services. Only the Labour party offers a credible alternative and I will be working to get our message across in Truro and Falmouth”