The Labour Party's candidate for Altrincham and Sale West at the next general election has unexpectedly resigned.
Ben Hartley had been selected by Labour in April 2023 to be its Parliamentary candidate at the next election, which is widely expected to take place this autumn.
The Altrincham and Sale West seat is set to be one of the most closely fought in the country following the decision by incumbent MP Sir Graham Brady to stand down at the next election.
But Cllr Hartley, who is a councillor for Ashton upon Mersey on Trafford Council, announced on social media this afternoon that he would be resigning as the Parliamentary candidate "due to personal circumstances".
He said: "It is with sadness I am announcing my resignation as the parliamentary candidate for Altrincham and Sale West due to personal circumstances. Being selected as the parliamentary candidate for Altrincham and Sale West was an honour.
"I am proud of the campaign I have run so far and I would like to thank everyone for their support. I wish the campaign well and I will continue to do all I can to deliver the fresh start the residents of Altrincham and Sale West deserve with a Labour MP".
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Ben has led a strong campaign in Altrincham and Sale West.
"Over the past year, our local activists have spoken to thousands of residents. There is a clear appetite for change in Altrincham and Sale West and residents are looking to Labour to deliver that change.”
Cllr Hartley was due to take on Oliver Carroll (Conservative), Geraldine Coggins (Green), Jane Brophy (Liberal Democrat) and Paul Swansborough (Reform UK) for the seat.
