DARREN, 21, WILL STAND FOR LABOUR AT ELECTION
29 May 2008
North Devon Journal
The Youngest Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate in the South West has been selected for Torridge and West Devon.Darren Jones, 21, was voted to represent the party at the next general election.
He is currently in his final year at the University of Plymouth, reading for a degree in the Human Biosciences.
He founded the Plymouth Labour Students group and stood as a local councilor during the last Plymouth elections.
He said: “For too long people have felt disenfranchised from the political system. They feel like they are not being listened to while feeling that nothing is done for them in their everyday lives.
“I want to change that in the area, working hard on local issues for local people, listening and learning and campaigning on the issues that matter.
“I relish the opportunity of working hard for the people of Torridge and West Devon and very much look forward to the next couple of years.”
George Dark, chairman of Torridge and West Devon CLP, said: “We really welcome a young candidate in the constituency, especially as Darren is a candidate that brings energy and fresh ideas to the table.
“I have great hopes for Darren in raising the profile of Labour in the area and hope that he can connect with younger voters, who often feel disengaged from mainstream politics.”
Labour Opts for Young Standard Bearer
23 May 2008
THE Labour candidate who will fight Torridge and West Devon at the next general election will be the party’s youngest in the South West. Darren Jones, 21, was selected as prospective parliamentary candidate at a meeting in the new Bridestowe Village Hall. Mr Jones is currently a final year undergraduate at the University of Plymouth, reading for a degree in human biosciences. Following his selection, he said: ‘It really is a great honour to be selected by local members to work for them in the run up to the next general election. ‘For too long people have felt disfranchised from the political system, feel like they are not being listened to whilst feeling that nothing is done for them in their everyday lives. I want to change that in the area, working hard on local issues for local people, listening and learning and campaigning on the issues that matter. ‘I relish the opportunity of working hard for the people of Torridge and West Devon and very much look forward to the next couple of years.’ Mr Jones was originally from Bristol where he lived with his family. As well as an interest in the sciences, he plays the saxophone and once played classically with a city orchestra before moving onto jazz. During his first year at the University of Plymouth, he founded the first University of Plymouth Big Band which he directed for two years, winning awards for both himself and the ensemble. On July 1 he will become the next president and chair of the board of trustees for the University of Plymouth Students’ Union as well as a governor for the university itself. He founded Plymouth Labour Students and has been involved in both local and national politics, from being elected to a national policy forum for Labour students to seeking election as a councillor in the Plymouth elections. He has also worked with Plymouth Labour MPs Linda Gilroy and Alison Seabeck on campaigns from education to health care, while acting as the student leader for a community relations forum, work that has resulted in nomination for a national award. George Dark, chairman of Torridge and West Devon Labour Party, said: ‘I have great hopes for Darren in raising the profile of Labour in the area and hope that he can connect with younger voters, who often feel disengaged from mainstream politics.’
Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd 23 May 08
