FORMER Thurrock MP Dame Jackie Doyle-Price is bidding to make a comeback into politics after being announced as a Conservative candidate for a county council by-election where she now lives.

The ballot for the Cambridgeshire County Council seat of Roman Bank and Peckover was prompted after the Reform UK post-holder was unseated because of illegal election practices.

A statement from North-East Cambridgeshire Conservatives says: "We are thrilled to announce Jackie as our candidate for the forthcoming by-election in Roman Bank and Peckover

"Jackie brings not only the change we need from the previous Reform Councillor (thrown out for illegal practices) but also experience. Jackie served as a Member of Parliament for fourteen years including as a Minister in Government. She has a reputation as a straight talking and determined campaigner.

"Among her many campaigns, she spoke up for victims of sexual violence; she led the efforts to honour our obligations to Gurkha veterans and she fought to defend women's rights to single sex spaces. She is am proud to have been made a Dame in recognition of her public service.

"She can bring her skills to work for residents and make sure that the needs of the communities in Roman Bank & Peckover are heard at County level."

Dame Jackie said: "I live in Wisbech. My home is in North Brink. I chose to make my life here after falling in love with the Fens and its amazing history and heritage. I have found everyone very welcoming and I want to get stuck into doing my bit to make our area the best it can be.

"Normally, in an election, your choice is between change or experience. But in this instance, I hope I can offer both - change from what you've had before and the experience of what I've done before.

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"I served as a Member of Parliament for 14 years including as a Minister in Government. I have a reputation as a straight-talking and determined campaigner. Amongst my many campaigns, I spoke up for victims of sexual violence; I led the efforts to honour our obligations to Gurkha veterans and I fought to defend women's rights to single-sex spaces. I am proud to have been made a Dame in recognition of my public service.

"I can bring my skills to work for you and make sure that the needs of the communities in Roman Bank & Peckover are heard at County. The Liberal Democrat county council are only concerned about what happens in Cambridge. Here in Fenland we are overlooked and ignored. The state of our roads is but one example of that. This has to change. This is our opportunity to make that change."