TWO Southend Labour councillors are set to battle it out in a bid to become the party’s candidate for Southend West and Leigh at the next general election.

St Laurence ward’s Lydia Hyde and Westborough ward’s Aston Line have announced they are vying to become the city constituency’s Labour parliamentary candidate.

Whoever emerges as the winner will go head-to-head with current Southend West MP, Conservative Anna Firth, during the general election.

Mr Line stood against Sir David Amess in the 2019 general election, polling 13,096 votes, with a vote share of 28.1 per cent.

Sir David polled 27,555 votes with a vote share of 59.2 per cent.

Labour and Lib Dems decided against fielding candidates in the 2022 by-election caused by the death of Sir David Amess.

Ms Firth was elected MP in the by-election with a vote share of 86.1 per cent.

A main priority for Mr Line is to “strengthen workers’ rights”, while Ms Hyde is attempting to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Line said: “I’ve got the support of the unions and the backing of businesses; I’m ready for this fight.

“My priorities are to strengthen workers’ rights, back British businesses to grow and afford investment nationally, and invest heavily in green tech infrastructure and jobs.

“After 13 years, this country deserves better, and the residents of Southend West and Leigh are ready for change, which I can deliver.

“Lydia is an excellent councillor, and I’m excited to be going up against her but given that I was born and raised in Southend West and Leigh and have lived here all my life, I’m the only person capable of winning this seat and delivering Southend’s first Labour MP.”

Success for Ms Hyde would see her stand at a general election for the first time.

Ms Hyde said: “I’ve represented a portion of Southend as a councillor, and it’s given me a real focus on representing people of the city and the change we can do, which I want to do as an MP.

“I don’t come from a traditional political background but have worked in scientific research and development, which makes me fact- and analytics-based, resulting in good traits for a politician.

“I grew up in social housing and come from a family who didn’t have much growing up, so I understand those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

“We need an MP who is from the city, and I’m not giving up without a fight.”

Both councillors have also insisted they will “challenge those who think it’s good to dump raw sewage in the Thames Estuary”.

Candidate selections close at noon on Thursday, and a longlist is set to published next week on November 2.