Burnley and Padiham’s Conservative MP Antony Higginbotham has been reselected by local members to defend the seat for the Conservatives at the next general election.
At a special meeting of the Burnley & Padiham Conservative Association, Antony was again picked by to battle for the seat he first won in 2019. At that election Antony went on to overturn a Labour majority of 6,353 to become the areas first Conservative MP in 109 years.
Since his election three and half years ago the Conservative MP has been a driving force in bringing major Government investment to the area, including securing a total of £32 million of funding for Burnley and Padiham through the Levelling Up Fund.
His work has included getting Pioneer Place off the ground, bringing about the expansion of UCLan Burnley, securing upgrades to Burnley General Hospital, working to protect homes and businesses from flooding in Padiham, and ensuring Burnley College is part of a growing network of Institutes of Technology across the country.
This is alongside keeping his promise to increase front-line police officers and speak up for local businesses at every opportunity in Parliament; and pushing for Lancashire-wide changes like the establishment of the National Cyber Force in Samlesbury, as the newest branch of the UK armed forces.
"Being the Member of Parliament for Burnley & Padiham is an enormous privilege, and I am honoured to have been re-selected as the Conservative candidate for the next election," said Antony.
Our area is incredibly special. We are industrious, entrepreneurial, community minded and proud. And over the past three and a half years, I have worked tirelessly to deliver the change that our borough has needed for so long – repaying the trust that was placed in me – and to be the most visible and accessible MP in our borough’s history.”
And change is now being delivered. Our town centres in Burnley and Padiham are being regenerated; UCLan and Burnley College are growing at a record rate; businesses are investing for growth; and we are coming out of the difficulties created by Covid and Ukraine.
I want to say thank you to those who continue to put their trust in me as we look ahead to the next General Election, where we will have the opportunity to continue the transformation that started in 2019.
The Burnley Conservative Association expressed their confidence in Antony’s vision for the town.
“Given everything he has already done for Burnley and Padiham we’re delighted to have re-selected Antony as our candidate for the next General Election” said a spokesperson for the Association.
He said from day one that he wanted to do politics differently to make sure our area gets the attention it deserves, both here and in Parliament. And that’s exactly what we’ve seen.
Whether it’s the huge levels of investment he’s already brought or the fact he’s been the most accessible MP Burnley and Padiham has ever had – Antony’s been a breath of fresh air. We’re lucky to have him and will do everything we can to support him in the run up the General Election.
Following the boundary review the Burnley constituency will grow to include Brierfield with the next General Election expected to take place in 2024.
