Web exclusive: A FORMER cabinet minister's son has been chosen as the Tory candidate to take on Ipswich MP Chris Mole at the next General Election.Ben Gummer, son of Suffolk Coastal MP John Gummer, got the nod from members of the public following a “Big Brother style” event staged in the town to pick the Conservative party's next candidate.

A FORMER cabinet minister's son has been chosen as the Tory candidate to take on Ipswich MP Chris Mole at the next General Election.

Ben Gummer, son of Suffolk Coastal MP John Gummer, got the nod from members of the public following a “Big Brother style” event staged in the town to pick the Conservative party's next candidate.

Along with three other contenders 29-year-old Mr Gummer was quizzed by a moderator for 10 minutes prior to taking questions from the floor for a further 20 minutes.

During his time on stage he spoke of his desire to address anti social behaviour in the town, defend Ipswich Hospital and to fight for the town.

Mr Gummer won the candidature comprehensively after polling more than 50 per cent of votes cast in the first round.

Following his nomination Mr Gummer said: “I will offer the people of Ipswich an alternative without being rude or adversarial.

“I will be a proper representative willing to fight for them.

“I will be a new name, a fresh face and give people a reason to vote.”

Mr Gummer will need to turnaround a Labour majority of around 5,000 votes to be successful at the next election.

Ben Gummer's father John Gummer, 67, became an MP on his third attempt aged 30 in Lewisham West.

Mr Gummer senior joined the cabinet in 1989 as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, moving to become Secretary of State for the Environment under John Major in 1993.