The Altrincham and Sale West battle is back on after the Labour Party selected a new candidate for the seat.

The old candidate for the seat, Ben Hartley, resigned in a surprise statement on social media two weeks ago.

Cllr Hartley's announcement was a matter of days before Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's announcement of a general election on July 4. It sped up the Labour Party's selection of a new candidate to campaign for the general election.

On Wednesday the party said Connor Rand, a one-time party organiser and senior researcher for the Usdaw Union, is to stand in what was the seat of the Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady for more than a quarter of a century. 

There is little information on Mr Rand but his LinkedIn says he went to school in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, and to university at the University of East Anglia.

Mr Rand said: "I am proud to be selected as the Labour Party's candidate for Altrincham and Sale West.

"This is a chance to offer hope for the future and end 14 years of Tory chaos. Vote for a change on July 4."

Labour Party colleagues Andrew Western, the candidate for Stretford and Urmston, and Tom Ross, the leader of Trafford Council, reacted to his selection.

Mr Western said: "Congratulations to Connor on his selection next door in Altrincham and Sale West. 

"I have known Connor for years as a campaigner, as a policy specialist and as a proud trade unionist."

Cllr Ross said: "Congratulations to Connor, one of the strong candidates to put themselves forward for Altrincham and Sale West.

"A great constituency and I look forward to working with you on your campaign. I cannot wait to see you as our first Labour MP."

Altrincham and Sale West's other candidates are Oliver Carroll (Conservative), Geraldine Coggins (Green), Jane Brophy (Liberal Democrat) and Paul Swansborough (Reform UK). 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.