Labour's candidate for Maidstone and the Weald has warned the town will be hit the hardest by a poor Brexit deal.

Allen Simpson will contest the seat for the second time having finished fourth in 2015 behind the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Ukip.

The 34-year-old former Maidstone Grammar School pupil said: “This is a very, very difficult moment for the UK and for Maidstone. We need serious leadership here and in Westminster. The Government don't seem to know how to fix the Brexit problem, and it will be people in towns like ours who are hit hardest when they fail.

"I will be fighting to make sure that we don't pile a bad Brexit deal on top of the wider problems we face. We need well paid jobs, not a ‘Red, White and Blue Brexit’."

The father of one, formerly of East Malling, is married to former MGGS pupil Katy.

He is an expert in small businesses and post-crisis financial reform, and speaks widely across Europe on the subject.

The York University graduate currently works for Barclays Bank as director of public policy. Prior to that, he worked for the London Stock Exchange.