Bexhill and Battle LibDems choose new parliamentary candidate

Aged just 22, Joel is the youngest ever candidate by a considerable margin in the constituency, the party said.

Having attended King Offa Primary School, Bexhill High, and Bexhill College, Joel now works for Hastings Direct.

A LibDem member since he was 16, he told the meeting last Saturday (September 24) that he has considered himself a Liberal Democrat ever since the age of seven when he was inspired by hearing Charles Kennedy, then leader of the party.

He said: “Unlike recent MPs I am not a high flying city lawyer or millionaire businessman parachuted into a ‘safe seat’.

“I grew up here and work here and I know how tough it is for young people to find employment and affordable housing.

“I can see the damage being done by inadequate funding of adult social care and the NHS.”

Long-standing county councillor Kathryn Field said: “I was extremely impressed with Joel’s maturity and with his passion and energy.

“He has a good understanding of the principal issues, and with so many people alarmed at the speed with which the two largest parties are veering to the extreme left and right, I am confident that Joel will gain considerable support as he becomes better known.”

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