A COUNCILLOR has announced he will be vying to become Colchester’s newest MP at the next General Election.

Conservative Darius Laws, who represents Rural North ward on Colchester Council, has thrown his hat in the ring to replace the incumbent MP Will Quince.

Mr Quince announced in June he will be stepping down at the next general election to spend more time with his family.

Colchester’s Conservative group is set to decide its candidate later this month, with Mr Laws, 41, the first to publicly announce his ambitions.

“I can confirm I have formally indicated my interest in being considered to stand for Parliament,” he said.

“I owe everything to Colchester, in particular the Colchester Sixth Form College which changed my life and helped me land a career working in film and television production.

“I also have fond childhood memories of Leisure World and now my own children enjoy it.”

Mr Laws added: “Colchester has so much potential but we have some major challenges around infrastructure and the disconnect between local wages and house prices.

“I also believe we have a huge opportunity to make more of our unique heritage assets to attract tourism and investment.”