Former Selby MP and Burley-in-Wharfedale resident John Grogan has been selected by the Labour Party to contest the Keighley and Ilkley seat in the 2015 General Election.

Mr Grogan, 52, was Selby MP from 1997 to 2010, but decided not to stand in the last election, when the Selby constituency was split in two.

Currently chairing the British Mongolian Chamber of Commerce – which aims to boost British exports to one of the fastest growing markets in the world – Mr Grogan aims to challenge for the traditionally marginal seat.

He said: “Keighley is a classic Labour-Tory marginal seat which will have the eyes of the nation on it once again at the election in 2015.

“With a rich history and heritage, it is made up not only of the proud towns of Keighley and Ilkley but also of the villages of the Aire, Worth and Wharfe Valleys all with their very distinct identities.

“Over the next 18 months I have two key tasks.

“Firstly, to go out and listen and learn from as many as possible of the rich variety of civic, voluntary, business and trade union organisations in the constituency.

“Secondly to convince people from all backgrounds that Labour is on their side and that we can offer a better future for our area and our nation.”

He paid tribute to current Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, Kris Hopkins, and said he hoped their political debates would be “robust but also fair and civilised”.

“In an age when many are cynical about politics we also have a mutual interest in trying to improve the reputation of our profession,” he added.

Mr Grogan’s first political experience was delivering leaflets after school for Labour MP Bob Cryer in Keighley during the 1979 General Election.

In his spare time he is a member of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, a keen supporter of Bradford City and enjoys running.