Sir Keir Starmer has called for Labour to select the “highest quality” candidates across Sussex ahead of the next general election.

The Labour leader visited Worthing yesterday to speak to residents, business owners and students about the cost of living crisis.

Candidate selection processes are getting under way ahead of next year’s general election, with comedian Eddie Izzard hoping to be chosen as the party’s candidate in Brighton Pavilion.

When asked about Eddie’s bid to become an MP, Sir Keir said: “Whether it’s Brighton or anywhere across the country, I want the highest quality of Labour candidates going into the election because if we are privileged enough to win the election and to serve our country, I want the very best Labour MPs I can get.

“I want to make sure we’ve got very good quality candidates wherever it is in the country.”

No timeframe for the selection process in Brighton Pavilion has been announced yet, but it is thought the candidate for the constituency will be chosen sometime this autumn.

The Green Party, who currently hold the seat in Parliament, have selected former party leader Sian Berry as she hopes to replace Caroline Lucas as MP for the constituency.