General Election 2024: Peter Prinsley, Labour candidate for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, kicks off campaign at Unitarian Meeting House

The Labour candidate for a long-time Conservative seat kicked off his campaign on Friday.

Peter Prinsley, 66, of Norwich, is running as the party’s candidate for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket.

He launched his campaign for the seat, from which incumbent MP Jo Churchill is stepping down, at the Unitarian Meeting House in Bury.

Mr Prinsley, who is an NHS surgeon and consultant of over 25 years, was selected as the Labour candidate last Thursday, the day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the General Election.

He said: “It is with great pleasure and an honour that I have been elected as the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Bury St Edmunds & Stowmarket.

“I could not ask for a better dedicated team of members and volunteers who are alongside me on this journey working flat out to ensure that the Labour Party message of hope and change is delivered across the constituency.

“If elected, in the spirit of service, I am looking forward to working tirelessly for those in this constituency, taking on their concerns and ensuring their voices are heard loud and clear."

Mr Prinsley added he and his team will be out and about over the next few weeks engaging with residents and seeking their views firsthand.

He has been a Norwich City councillor since 2023.

The 66-year-old has been an ear, nose and throat surgeon for about 40 years and currently serves at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and James Paget Hospital.

Also contesting the Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket constituency are Emma Buckmaster (Green), Peter McDonald (Lib Dem), Scott Hussey (Reform) and Darren Turner (Communist).