A YOUNG anti-Brexit activist has been chosen by Halesowen Liberal Democrats to fight to be the next MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis in the event of a snap election.

Ryan Priest, aged 22, said: "I believe the way forward is to stop Brexit so we can fix the problems that affect everyone's lives."

The former Windsor High pupil, who would stand against Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris, said he believes the Lib Dems would have a good chance of winning a general election.

He said: "The Lib Dems are the only pro-Remain party and being pro-Remain matters to people more than their old party loyalties."

Ryan, who works for an International Development charity, said: "We have an NHS crisis and that's going to be difficult to solve if doctors and nurses from the EU are leaving because they don't feel welcome.

"I believe the way forward is to stop Brexit so we can fix the problems that affect everyone's lives including the housing crisis and climate change."

Ryan stood, but lost, in the local elections earlier this year in his hometown ward of Cradley and Wollescote.

He said he has been lobbying for policies which will benefit the community and wants to secure funding for Halesowen Police Station, stop developers' plans to build on the greenbelt, and has called for an amnesty on the bulky waste collection charge in a bid to end fly tipping.

Ryan said: "I want Halesowen and Rowley Regis to have a real community champion to represent them in Westminster.

"I’ve lived in the Black Country my entire life; I went to school at Windsor High and live in Colley Gate now.

"My family have lived in this area for generations.

“Our community is consistently being let down; I’ll change that.

"I want to secure funding to keep Halesowen Police Station and introduce legislation to protect our greenbelt from greedy developers."

Ryan joined the Liberal Democrats in early 2016, switching from the Labour Party.

He sees his age as an advantage if he were to become a member of parliament, saying: “The biggest issues that our country faces today disproportionately affect young people. Climate change and the housing crisis are already huge hurdles in today’s politics”

“Today’s politicians can act with the best of interests, but my generation has a vested interest to fix these problems – we have to live through the worst to come.”