Rower up for election

A FORMER Olympic rower will run as a Conservative councillor for Henley.

James Cracknell, 52, has been selected to run for the party in Oxfordshire County Council’s elections next May.

Cracknell is a two-time Olympic Champion and 10-times winner at Henley Royal Regatta.

He will stand for election in the new Henley Division, where he lives.

Cracknell had a failed attempt to be selected as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Henley last year.

David Bartholomew has also been selected to stand for re-election in the new Sonning Common and Henley South Division, which includes the Newtown area of Henley, as well as the parishes of Binfield Heath, Eye and Dunsden, Harpsden, Shiplake and Sonning Common.

Andrew Collins, chairman of the Henley Conservative association, said: “Having James run in Henley is an election coup. Now back in Henley, we know he will do everything he can to fight his corner at Oxfordshire County Council and the issues that are important to all residents.

“He oozes positivity, is an Olympic champion and will look to make projects happen. We are delighted to have him and David to fight for the Henley area, along with the other eight candidates for the rest of Henley and Thame, which we will announce in due course.

“Since the general election, our membership has been rising as people have realised that the Liberal Democrats are not good for Henley or the county.”