THE general election is now less than a month away and the list of candidates for all of Oxfordshire’s seats have been published.

We continue our series profiling the candidates for the December 12 election with the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency.

In Oxford West and Abingdon there are four candidates standing in the election.

These are: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrats), James Frederickson (Conservatives), Rosie Sourbut (Labour), and Allison Wild (Brexit Party).

Liberal Democrats

Herald Series:

Layla Moran

Layla Moran was the constituency’s MP elected during the 2017 election, up until parliament dissolved for the campaign season.

She worked as a teacher before becoming a member of parliament.

As a Lib Dem, Ms Moran will stand as a pro-Remain candidate, and has recently said more needs to be done to protect the rights of EU citizens currently living in the UK.

On a local level, she has campaigned against the proposed Oxford to Cambridge expressway, and has raised concerns about delays to a proposed diamond junction on the A34 at Lodge Hill.

Layla Moran said: “Whether it’s holding the Conservatives to account over their failure to invest in sustainable transport infrastructure, campaigning to stop the Expressway or prioritising climate change in Parliament by holding the first debate on it in over two years in the Commons chamber, I have loved being able to represent my community since 2017.

“A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit, so that we can invest the £50bn Remain Bonus in our public services and build a brighter future.”

Conservatives

Herald Series:

James Fredrickson

James Fredrickson is the Conservative candidate for the seat.

Mr Fredrickson has a background in digital technology.

He said: “I’ve seen the benefits that tech can bring to protecting our environment and empowering people to do more of what they love - so I would like to play my part in making that happen.”

One of his ‘hot topic’ local issues is safety on the A34, but he does not believe the planned expressway is the answer and has instead suggested that junctions on the road need to be upgraded and extended, while investment in sustainable transport is found.

Mr Fredrickson campaigned for remained in the 2016 referendum, but on the promise that the result would be respected.

He added: “Some of our politicians have forgotten that promise, but I haven't. I want to see that result respected."

READ MORE about candidates in the general election from across Oxfordshire here:

The Labour Party

Herald Series:

Rosie Sourbut

Rosie Sourbut, Labour’s candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon, is a local community campaigner who has campaigned on a variety of issues.

The Jericho resident’s past campaign work includes increasing women and disabled people’s participation in politics, tackling violence against women and period poverty.

She has volunteered with local Oxford foodbanks, as well as researching the impact of Universal Credit and food poverty at Oxford’s Social Policy Department.

She campaigned for Remain in 2016 and wants a ‘final say’ in a public vote between a credible leave deal and Remain. She will campaign for Remain in that referendum.

The Brexit Party

Herald Series:

Allison Wild.

The Brexit Party’s candidate is Allison Wild.

According to the Brexit Party website, Ms Wild, 57, has an MSc in Clinical Pharmacology from Oxford, has worked as a software engineer, volunteers with local charities, and is ‘an expert in EU law and regulations for the cosmetics and skincare industry.’

She said: “I am standing for the Brexit Party because I believe our future outside the EU will bring opportunity and prosperity. Brexit will benefit people from all walks of life in our diverse nation.

“I believe in freedom, sovereignty, and above all, democracy.”

The Green Party: why they stood aside

The Green Party candidate, Cheryl Briggs, has stood aside for this general election due to a pact called the Unite to Remain Alliance.

This electoral pact between the Lib Dems, the Greens, and Plaid Cymru in Wales has seen the parties stand aside for one another in marginal seats to give one of their number the best chance at beating Labour and the Tories as the ‘true remain’ candidate for that area.