THE Labour candidates who will contest the two York constituency seats in the General Election and the Liberal Democrats candidate for York Outer have all launched their campaigns today.

At a Labour Party rally outside York Art Gallery, Rachael Maskell got her campaign for re-election as York Central MP underway, alongside Heworth Ward councillor, Cllr Anna Perrett, who has launched her bid to become York Outer’s first Labour MP.

City of York Council leader, Cllr Keith Aspden, who has been selected as the Liberal Democrats candidate for the York Outer constituency, also got his campaign underway at a packed meeting of party activists and local residents.

Held at the Oaken Grove Community Centre in Haxby, he was joined by Shaffaq Mohammed, Liberal Democrats MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber.

Ms Maskell said: "I have thoroughly loved working with the people in York over the last four years.

"I have always put York first, talking to people, finding out what they think and speaking up for them in Westminster at every opportunity.

“We are in the midst of a national crisis after a decade of Tory and Tory/Lib Dem Governments; it is now time for real change.

"We will build the homes that people can afford to live in, invest in the jobs that will provide good wages and opportunities and we will save our NHS from cuts and privatisation. Labour's Green New Deal, integrated with a radical transport policy will be Labour's response to the climate crisis. This is why I am eager to win this election; so we can fix Britain and sort Brexit with a public vote within six months and get on with the things that matter to people across our city."

Cllr Perrett added: “People want an MP who is there for them and willing to speak up in Westminster and challenge the Government when they get it wrong. They want someone who cares, someone who listens and more importantly someone who can make life fairer. I can do this.

“As a charity worker, small business owner and a local councillor I have seen the pain caused by a Tory Government and a Lib Dem-led council. Neither of which are putting the people first.

“Change needs to happen now and only Labour can make this happen.”

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Cllr Aspden had been chosen as the Unite to Remain candidate in a new deal between the Green Party and Liberal Democrats.

The Liberal Democrats, as part of Unite to Remain, have made an arrangement with The Green Party and Plaid Cymru to step aside for pro-Remain candidates in 60 seats across England and Wales, including York Outer.

The Green Party candidate for York Outer, Lars Kramm, confirmed he was stepping aside in a bid to help Cllr Aspden secure the parliamentary seat.

Cllr Aspden commented: “With just under five weeks to go, this election campaign is one the most important campaigns in a generation. It is our opportunity to reject the tired old politics led by Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn and instead, build a fairer, brighter future for the UK.

“As the Unite to Remain candidate for York, I will campaign to stop Brexit, so that we can end this national embarrassment and instead, focus on improving public services.

"Every day as leader of the council, I see how the communities and villages of York have been ignored by this Government; they deserve better. Whether it be for improved public transport infrastructure, Yorkshire devolution, or investment in schools, it is time that the residents of York Outer had an MP willing to fight for them on the national stage.”

Former Conservative MP for York Outer, Julian Sturdy, has confirmed he will again be seeking re-election.

Brexit Party candidate and local businessman, Nicholas Szkiler, will also be contesting the seat.

James Blanchard has been selected as the Liberal Democrats candidate for the York Central constituency.

The Green Party has announced Tom Franklin as its candidate for York Central, while the Conservatives have yet to announce their candidate for the seat.