Labour has selected their candidate to challenge George Freeman for the Mid Norfolk seat at the next general election.

Michael Rosen, a former director of children's services at Norfolk County Council and a South Norfolk councillor for North Wymondham, has been selected as Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate.

Eastern Daily Press: Michael RosenMichael Rosen (Image: Labour Party)

Mr Rosen, who lives in Wymondham, said: "I am honoured to be selected as Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Mid-Norfolk.

"Listening to people at meetings and on the doorstep I know how much they want to give Labour the chance to serve.

"Our Conservative MP, George Freeman, has voted consistently for the policies that are now causing people across Mid Norfolk serious concern and to face impossible choices in their everyday lives.

"I will be the champion for the communities across Mid Norfolk to ensure our voice is heard in Parliament."

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Mr Rosen, who joined the county council as an assistant director in 2013, was head of County Hall's children's services department from June 2015 until November the following year.

He resigned just days after watchdogs were critical of the department's leadership and the pace of improvement.

In 2021 he missed out to Conservative Giles Orpen-Smellie in the battle to become Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, but he became a South Norfolk councillor in May last year.

Eastern Daily Press: George FreemanGeorge Freeman (Image: UK Parliament)

Mr Freeman has held Mid Norfolk, which includes Dereham, Wymondham, Watton and Attleborough, since 2010.

He made national headlines recently after revealing he stood down as a science minister partly because he could not afford rising mortgage payments on his salary of almost £120,000.

MPs who are not ministers can take on second jobs, if approved by anti-corruption watchdog the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.

If Mr Rosen were to defeat Mr Freeman, he would be Mid Norfolk's first Labour MP.

In the 2019 general election, Mr Freeman increased his majority to 22,594. He garnered 35,051 votes to Labour's Adrian Heald's 12,457.

The seat's boundaries will change at the next general election, with Wymondham to be moved into South Norfolk.