"Since 2017 it has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Member of Parliament for Hitchin, Harpenden and our wonderful villages. I am immensely proud to have represented this beautiful part of Hertfordshire and of the work we have done together to make our area an even better place to live, work and spend time. 

"Unfortunately, the independent Boundary Commission have announced that the Hitchin & Harpenden constituency will be abolished at the next General Election and replaced by two new seats: Hitchin, and Harpenden & Berkhamsted. 

"The Conservative Party is currently selecting candidates for the General Election and therefore I have had to make a decision as to which of these two new seats I will stand in. Having lived with my family in a village near Hitchin for the past couple of years, I felt that it was right to seek re-selection for the Hitchin constituency and I am absolutely delighted that the Selection Council for that seat has now adopted me as its Parliamentary Candidate. 

"I look forward to continuing to represent Hitchin and our beautiful villages and getting to know local people in Arlesey, Astwick, Campton and Chicksands, Clifton, Fairfield, Henlow, Langford, Meppershall, Shefford, Stondon and Stotfold as we approach the General Election. 

"Until that General Election, I will also still represent people in Harpenden, Redbourn, Sandridge and Wheathampstead to the best of my ability. I am very sad to be losing these fantastic communities from my constituency and I will work closely with whoever the local Conservatives select as the candidate for Harpenden & Berkhamsted to ensure that they have all the support they need to continue delivering for our area." 

Reacting to Bim's re-selection, Hitchin & Harpenden Conservative Chairman and Conservative Candidate for Hitchin Bearton Dr. Charles Laing said, 

"I am delighted that Bim has been re-selected to fight the Hitchin constituency at the next General Election. Bim has been a great local champion for Hitchin and the villages, campaigning to protect our countryside with an expansion of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, make it easier to use Hitchin Station by opening up Eastern pedestrian access, working with our local team to hold North Herts Council to account for things like their plan to cut bin collections, and much more besides. 

"His experience as our local Member of Parliament and record of achievement make him an ideal candidate for Hitchin and the villages and I look forward to supporting him to deliver on our plans to make our area even better and ensure that we get Bim returned to Parliament at the next General Election." 

Hitchin & Harpenden Deputy Chairman Political and District Councillor for Kimpton Cllr. Ralph Muncer said, 

"I'm absolutely thrilled that Bim Afolami has been readopted as our Parliamentary Candidate for the new Hitchin Constituency at the next General Election.  

"Since 2017, Bim has been working hard locally and in Westminster to ensure the priorities of local residents in Hitchin, Kimpton and the many other communities within our constituency are put first. 

"I look forward to getting out on the doorsteps with Bim to speak with residents as well as continuing to work closely with him on a number of important issues such as preventing the Luton Airport Expansion, extending the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and opposing the Labour-Liberal Democrat Waste Collection Cuts at NHDC."