CONSERVATIVES have chosen a new chairman ahead of a crucial election battle.

Clr Christine Smith was voted in as the new head of the Tories in the Dewsbury constituency.

The Kirkburton councillor will lead efforts to unseat sitting Labour MP Shahid Malik in the upcoming general election.

Clr Smith said: “It’s a seat that we have to win and I think Kirkburton, Denby Dale and Mirfield are going to be crucial to our chances.”

Clr Smith was elected chairman at a meeting in Scissett. She replaces Amelia Bolton.

The Conservative candidate for Dewsbury is Simon Reevell

He is trying to win the seat from Mr Malik, who had a majority of 4,615 at the 2005 general election. However, boundary changes, bringing in Denby Dale and Kirkburton, have made the seat more marginal.