Thetford councillor Terry Jermy announces running against Liz Truss to become next South West Norfolk MP at general election

A Thetford councillor has announced his ambition to topple Liz Truss from her Norfolk seat at the next general election.

Terry Jermy, who represents the town at a district and county level, has entered the running to become the South West Norfolk MP candidate for the Labour Party.

He is the second person to announce they will fight to oust the former PM after rebel Tory James Bagge – a member of the so-called Turnip Taliban – also launched his own bid for the seat.

Mr Jermy said: “I have never had a desire to be an MP.

“However, having served as a local councillor for more than 15 years, it is clear that local government can only achieve so much.

“In order to support residents, and improve your quality of life, we need an MP focused on our area and we need a government that understands the needs of local people.

“I believe I can offer that.”

Mr Jermy, who has lived in the area his whole life, is currently the vice-chairman of Breckland Council and was previously leader of the Labour group.

The selection process will now take place over the coming weeks to decide who will stand for his party at the next election. It is not known if other figures have put themselves forward for the Labour candidacy.

The South West Norfolk constituency will be an interesting battleground following Ms Truss’ short-lived time in Downing Street.

James Bagge, a lawyer, former Norfolk high sheriff and ex-army officer, has announced his plans to stand as an independent candidate against the former PM.

He was one of the rebel Tories who voted against Ms Truss becoming the Conservative candidate for the safe seat of South West Norfolk in 2009 after she was parachuted into the constituency by the national Tory party.

At the 2019 general election, Ms Truss won the seat with 69pc of the vote. Labour came second.

While a date is yet to be set for the election, prime minister Rishi Sunak has said he expects to call for one in the second half of 2024.