A SENIOR Labour MP and party official says the North Shropshire electorate have a chance to vote in 'decency' in Ben Wood, its candidate for the North Shropshire by-election next Thursday.

Ms Dodds, who was Shadow Chancellor before leader Sir Keir Starmer's first reshuffle of his front bench team in May 2021, joined Mr Wood on the campaign trail in his home town of Oswestry.

During the visit, she spoke to shoppers in the town and believes the by-election presents a unique opportunity for voters.

She said: "This by-election is a once in a generation chance for the people of North Shropshire to send a message directly to the Prime Minister (Boris Johnson).

"Ben represents a chance to bring a sense of decency back to politics at a level, but he is also the local candidate who will fight for towns and villages across North Shropshire.

"Ben has my full support in his campaign to represent the area that he will always call home."

However, Ms Dodds was caught in a an awkward situation by a national news organisation when she refused multiple times to call for Mr Johnson's resignation after the Christmas Party scandal unfolded this week.

Mr Wood added: "I am delighted to have the support today of Anneliese, our fantastic party chair.

"For me, this election is a chance to fight for our local services and bring new opportunities to North Shropshire, but it's also about the country which we want to live in.

"On December 16, I am asking the people of North Shropshire to place their trust in me to bring back a sense of decency to our local politics."