'There's A Really Deep, Profoundly Depressing Distrust Of Politics'

Voters Can't Be Taken For Granted, Says New Contender For 'safe' Seat

- NICK JACKSON

HE'S the academic high-flyer who walked out of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership team.

Now, 30-year-old Josh Simons is vying to be the next MP for the Makerfield constituency on the outskirts of Wigan, following the decision by sitting MP Yvonne Fovarque not to defend the seat.

A graduate of Cambridge University with a first in politics, Mr Simons went away to study at Harvard in the US after falling out with the Corbyn regime. Perceived as one of Sir Keir's 'Starmtroopers' - the term used to describe candidates parachuted in by Labour to seats, sometimes against the wishes of local activists - Mr Simons is keen to dispel the impression he has no north west connections, in particular a 'false rumour' circulating on social media that he is from Kent.