The Conservative candidate for Halesowen and Rowley Regis James Morris has said Sylvia Heal withdrawing will not change his campaign.

He said: "I've had my political differences with Sylvia but she has always been pleasant and courtious.

“She has been a hard working public servant over the years and I think her work as Deputy Speaker and promoting democracy in developing countries was very good.”

However, Mr Morris said the withdrawal of his main opponent from the race to win Halesowen and Rowley Regis has not effected his campaign.

He said: “Nothing has changed concerning my campaign because Sylvia is standing down we are campaigning on a positive agenda. We are not being complacent and I know there is a lot of hard work to be done to win this seat.”