THE LEADER of the Labour group on Wrexham Council has entered the race to become the town’s next MP.

Party members are currently in the process of selecting their next parliamentary candidate after Wrexham’s current MP Ian Lucas announced he would not be standing for reselection at the next election.

Ruabon councillor Dana Davies, who is the main opposition leader on the local authority, has now thrown her hat in the ring to become his successor.

She is joined by former Welsh European election candidate Mary Wimbury, Anglesey-based community nurse Sharon Morris and Wrexham charity worker Helen Grout on an all-female shortlist.

Cllr Davies was first elected to the council in 2011 by a narrow margin of one vote and became leader of the Labour group in 2015.

Despite some national divisions in the party, she said she would aim to work with all local members to fight for the Westminster seat if she is successfully picked.

She said: “I would seek to build a coalition of support by reaching out to people who share our principles and ensuring that Wrexham remains Labour.

“I firmly believe that, as a society and party, we have more that unites us than divides us.

“I have been a Labour Party activist since 1983 campaigning for candidates at local, parliamentary, European and assembly elections.

“I believe in compassion, a strong sense of social responsibility and the need to speak out against injustice, which I do wholeheartedly.”

She added: “I will be a diligent and persuasive advocate for this constituency to ensure the best opportunities in funding, investment and economic growth come to Wrexham.

“If selected, I hope the people of Wrexham would feel able to support me as their member of parliament.”

Mr Lucas announced he would not be standing at the next general election earlier this month after representing Wrexham for almost two decades.

In a letter, he citied personal and family reasons as the motivation behind his decision.

Members of the local Labour party are expected to vote to choose their next candidate on the evening of Friday, November 8, at the Catrin Finch Centre at Glyndwr University.