THE GREEN party has announced its candidate for the Stroud constituency seat in next year's General Election.

Representing the Stroud and District Green Party's values for the residents of Dursley and Cam will be Eastcombe resident Chris Jockel.

Chairman of the environment committee on Stroud District Council, Cllr Simon Pickering said Mr Jockel would offer a fresh voice for the residents of the district.

“Chris will promote policies for real change for the common good; decent pay and housing, real local democracy, a vibrant, dynamic and sustainable local economy focused on new, small to medium enterprises and innovation, community energy, local food and liveable urban and rural communities,” he said.

Mr Jockel has lived in the district for 25 years and works for a global certification and verification company helping businesses control risk and continuously improve.

He is also a director of Stroud district-based social enterprise Creative Sustainability and is the press officer for the South West branch of the Green Party.

He has five children and step children.

Stroud-based Green MEP Dr Molly Scott-Cato said the results from the European elections in May demonstrated that in the Stroud constituency it was a four-way split between the parties vying for control.

“My election and the election of Caroline Lucas in Brighton show that Greens can win national elections,” she said.

“It's now time to vote for a candidate who will fight for fair economy, decent work, pay and housing as well as protect the environment on which ultimately all our wealth is dependant."

Stroud District Green Party will officially launch its General Election campaign in the autumn.