The leader of the Tory faction on the city council has spoken of his disappointment at not being selected to fight a marginal Southampton constituency in June’s general election.

Councillor Jeremy Moulton was not chosen to contest Southampton Test seat after failing to make the Conservatives’ approved candidates list for the constituency.

Councillor Moulton stood in Test in 2015 polling 14,207 votes, 3,810 behind Alan Whitehead.

He told the Echo: “I am deeply disappointed that I wasn’t chosen to be the candidate for the constituency, I have had a lot of support locally, however, the national party decided not to support me.”

“However, I fully support the candidate who has been chosen and I am sure that he will do a good job for the area. It is my intention to stay on as leader of the Conservatives on Southampton City Council.

The Southampton Test Conservative Association has picked former Redbridge councillor Paul Holmes to take on Alan Whitehead who has held the seat for Labour since 1997.

Mr Holmes is also a special adviser to Patrick McLoughlin, the party chairman and a former parliamentary adviser to Stephen Hammond, under-secretary of state for transport.

He said: “It is a great honour to have been given the trust and support of my colleagues to fight Southampton Test at this crucial election.

“I will fight for all Southampton residents, for better schools and hospitals, for more jobs and opportunities for our local people, for the best deal from Brexit and to support Theresa May.”

The Liberal Democrats have chosen Thomas Gravatt, a 20-year-old University of Southampton student who has taken an active role in local politics in the city, particularly focusing on homelessness and campaigning against the “snooper’s charter”.

Southampton Independent Redbridge councillor Andrew Pope is also standing. UKIP and the Green Party have yet to announce their candidates.