A FORMER Flintshire MP is fronting a Labour MP's campaign to become the party's deputy leader.

Former Delyn MP David Hanson, alongside Sunderland MP Julie Elliot, has been appointed co-chair of Ian Murray’s campaign for Labour deputy leader.

The appointments come ahead of Mr Murray’s campaign launch in Edinburgh on Thursday.

Mr Hanson represented Delyn for nearly 28 years between 1992 and 2019, serving as Northern Ireland Minister under Tony Blair, Security Minister under Gordon Brown, as well as Shadow Treasury Minister and Shadow Immigration Minister. He lost his seat to the Tories in last year’s General Election.

He said: “Ian is a candidate who can reach out to areas we need to win to form a government in 2024.

“We need to win in Scotland and Ian has shown he can; we need to energise our traditional base and Ian has shown he can; and we need to put aspiration at the heart of our plans and Ian has shown he can.

“As an MP I saw Ian hold government to account in parliament, and as a trade unionist I know he is committed to the practical ideals of Labour and unions.

“I lost my seat in 2019 after almost 28 years - with Ian in a leadership position we can win it and others back next time.”

Ian Murray MP, Labour deputy leadership candidate, said: “I’m delighted that Julie and David have agreed to co-chair my campaign.

“They bring huge experience from different parts of the UK, and understand that Labour must become a party for the whole UK once again.

“The areas they have represented saw huge Tory surges last year, and we need to listen to voters in places like north-east England and Wales if we are to win again.

“I am determined to use my experience of winning against the odds to transform Labour into an election-winning machine.”