Tories reveal candidates

The Conservatives are set to reveal two new Welshpool candidates for seats on Powys County Council.

The party will hold a Campaign Launch Dinner at the Royal Oak Hotel on Friday night when a host of new candidates for seats across Montgomeryshire will be revealed, including two for the Castle and Gungrog wards in Welshpool.

Des Parkinson, who stood as UKIP candidate in the UK Government and Welsh Assembly elections as well as for Police & Crime Commissioner, has defected to the Tories and will oppose Councillor Philip Pritchard for the Castle seat.

While Ruth Canning, who missed out on a three-cornered bi-election fight to Councillor Graham Breeze for the Llanerchyddol seat last December, is standing against the long standing Liberal Democrat Councillor Fransesca Jump for the Gungrog seat.

It is also understood that Welshpool Town Mayor, Councillor Steve Kaye, will contest the Gungrog seat, standing as an Independent, though he has yet to confirm.his intentions.