DERBY councillor Chris Williamson has been chosen by Labour members across the city to defend the Derby North parliamentary seat at the next General Election. 

Mr Williamson, leader of the city's Labour Group and twice leader of Derby City Council, was elected by party members on Saturday. 

He has represented the city as a councillor since 1991. 

Mr Williamson said: "It's an honour to have been selected as the Labour candidate. I've had the privilege of representing city residents for two decades and I would love the opportunity to represent Derby at Westminster.

 "I've made no secret about my focus throughout the selection campaign: and that is Derby. I'm a Derby man, born and bred. 

"I've spent years fighting locally to ensure Derby people have the very best services, and it would be wonderful to be able to take that to Parliament." 

Mr Williamson, an avid Derby County supporter and Pride Park season ticket-holder, has lived in and around the city all his life. 

The former bricklayer, Social Worker and Welfare Rights Officer is a seasoned campaigner. As a leading member of the League Against Cruel Sports, he was a key force in the national campaign that eventually saw foxhunting outlawed. 

And as the Vice Chair of the Local Government Anti Poverty Forum he was part of the successful campaign to introduce the national minimum wage. 

As Leader of Derby City Council, Mr Williamson introduced free home care services to city residents and was involved in bringing major players to the city including Westfield, Jurys Inn, Primark and Derby Riverlights. 

He also introduced Derby's Neighbourhood Agenda, which saw the creation of Neighbourhood Boards and Forums across the city, giving residents a voice in the running of their communities. 

More recently, he has been involved in rolling out COPS (Citizens on Patrol Scheme) and successfully overturned council plans to close the city's public toilets.