A LONDONER has been chosen to replace Reading West MP Martin Salter when he stands down at the next election.
Naz Sarkar, who is a Waltham Forest borough councillor and works at Denefield School as a maths tutor, beat seven other candidates, including the only local, Reading Borough councillor Paul Gittings.
Mr Sarkar said he was “absolutely honoured” to be chosen as the new candidate and said he believed that being an outsider would not be detrimental to him.
He said: “I think [the people in Reading West] will feel it’s more important that someone lives in the constituency which I am planning to do shortly.
“I think that’s absolutely the right commitment now and I think they feel, at the next election, it’s whether the person chosen delivers for them.”
Mr Sarkar said his main area of concern for West Berkshire residents would be preserving the green belts in the area.
He specifically mentioned Pincents Hill, Calcot, and said he would be working closely with Mr Salter to ensure the area is not developed.
Mr Sarkar added that his new role was about “commitment and hard work.” He added: “I think there are lots of very serious issues in Reading, and I will be focusing on the economy and the regeneration project happening in Dee Park.”
Mr Salter, who has been in his seat for the past 12 years, gave Mr Sarkar his blessing and said that he had “passion and professionalism.”
He added: “I am really pleased that Labour Party members in Reading West have selected Naz Sarkar to be my successor and fight the seat for Labour at the next general election.
“It has been a tough and demanding selection process and Naz has come through with flying colours and shown passion, professionalism and a real understanding of what this constituency needs.”
However Conservative candidate, Alok Sharma, was more critical of Mr Sarkar and said he was shocked the Labour Party had “parachuted in a London councillor with no previous connection to Reading.”
He added: "The choice for local voters could not be clearer, a Conservative candidate who has deep roots in Reading with a track record of campaigning and caring for the local area or a Labour candidate who regards London as home but who will take up a local address of convenience for a few months and then move on after the election."

Click on the 'View Video' link above to hear more from Mr Sarkar.