LABOUR’S newly selected candidate for St Helens North says he is determined to prove his worth to the people of the town amid suggestions that he was “parachuted” into the constituency ahead of the General Election.

Conor McGinn, a Northern Irishman, was chosen by local Labour party members on Sunday ahead of candidates that included former mayor Andy Bowden and Rainhill-based Barrie Grunewald, the St Helens Council leader.

His selection, however, has split opinion among Labour supporters, some of whom are disappointed that the town has not gone with a homegrown contender. Those feelings were echoed by those outside the political bubble, including many Star readers on social media.

But McGinn, aged 30, has labelled claims that he was a parachute as “nonsense”.

He robustly defended his selection and insisted that coming out on top of a tough shortlist that also included chief executive of the Christian charity the Church Army, Mark Russell, who attracted a considerable late surge of support, underlined his calibre.

McGinn told the Star: “I ask voters two things – first they give me a chance, second is to judge me on what I do.”

McGinn, who grew up in County Armagh as the son of a Sinn Fein councillor before moving to London at...when he joined the Labour party, said he has made a commitment to the faith placed in him by Labour Party members who voted by 75 votes to 54 in the final round against council leader Barrie Grunewald at the town hall on Sunday.

He has moved his young family to the town and has resigned from his post as political advisor to shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker to focus his attention on fighting the election and insists he will take nothing for granted despite the constituency being regarded as one of the safest Labour seats in the country.

He added: “I have not gone for selection anywhere else. It was a strong shortlist with two incredible good local candidates and the chief executive of a national charity.

“I’ve campaigned on my own merits and won.

“I have been in every community every day and will continue to do that. I will fight this campaign like it’s the most marginal seat in the country.”

There are rumblings by some unhappy Labour members that the situation is reminiscent of that of Shaun Woodward who was ‘parachuted’ into St Helens South after defecting from the Tories in 2001.

But those close to McGinn insist his staunch Labour background and reputation within the party as bright, ambitious and talented politician mean it is a different story altogether.

McGinn: “It’s up to me to prove to people that I can do the job."