ASSEMBLY member Darren Millar is one of the first contenders to throw his hat into the ring to become the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for the Clwyd West constituency.

The seat has become vacant following the decision by David Jones, the current MP, not to stand again in any forthcoming election.

Mr Millar said: “Clwyd West has been ably served by my friend and colleague David Jones since 2005, but since the announcement that he will not be standing at the next general election I have been inundated with messages and calls from constituents and the Conservative Party members encouraging me to stand in his place.

“Having reflected on these over the past week, I have concluded that I would be the best candidate to defeat the Labour Party in Clwyd West at the next general election and it is for this reason I have decided to put my name forward.

“David has been a dedicated, effective and hardworking local MP whose shoes will be difficult to fill but I very much hope Conservative Party members and the voters of Clwyd West will give me the opportunity to do just that.”

Mr Millar was first elected to the National Assembly in May 2007 and has been returned in successive elections with increased majorities.

Brought up in Towyn, he now lives in Kinmel Bay with his wife Rebekah and their two children, Mary and Toby.

Before becoming an AM he worked as a manager for an international charity. He has also been an accountant working in the construction, care home and telecommunications industries.