Ian Mearns selected as Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Gateshead

The Labour Party last night announced that Ian Mearns has been selected as the party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Gateshead.

Mr Mearns was chosen after a postal ballot of Labour Party members from across Gateshead constituency.

Mr Mearns, aged 52, will succeed Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland as the party’s candidate at the next General Election. Mr Mearns is currently Deputy Leader of Gateshead Council and a Councillor for Saltwell ward.

After his selection, Ian Mearns said: “I really felt it was important that the Constituency Labour Party had the chance to select a local person who cared passionately about the place and had fundamental understanding of the needs and aspirations of local people.

Former miner Ian Lavery to fight Wansbeck for Labour

Labour Party Members in Wansbeck yesterday chose Ian Lavery as their candidate for the next General Election.

Mr Lavery, aged 47 from Ashington, is married with two children. He is a former miner, starting out as a mining apprentice at Lynemouth Colliery before moving on to work at Ellington Colliery.

Since 2002, he has served as President of the National Union of Mineworkers.

He is also currently the Chairman of Ashington Community Football Club and Chairman of Hirst Welfare Centre.

Mr Lavery will be looking to succeed Labour Member of Parliament, Denis Murphy in Parliament.

After his selection, Ian Lavery said: “As a Wansbeck person all my life I am delighted at the overwhelming support I’ve received from local party members. The campaign starts now and I’m looking forward to the continued assistance of the local constituency party as we engage with the public in discussion and debate on local and national issues. With hard work, grit and determination this seat of Wansbeck will remain a solid Labour seat.”

Labour select Mary Glindon for North Tyneside

The Labour Party yesterday announced that Mary Glindon has been selected by members in North Tyneside to be their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate at the next General Election.

Mrs Glindon, aged 53, will succeed current Labour MP, Stephen Byers as the party’s candidate. Mr Byers announced in November 2009 his intention to retire from Parliament after 18 years.

Mary Glindon, from Wallsend, is currently a Councillor on North Tyneside Council representing the ward of Battlehill.

She was selected by a postal vote of all eligible Labour Party members in the North Tyneside Constituency.

After the announcement, Mary Glindon, said: “I’m truly honoured to have been selected as Labour’s candidate for North Tyneside. Steve Byers is a hard act to follow; he was a big hitter in national politics but never took for granted the support of local people here in North Tyneside.

Labour choose Pat Glass for North West Durham

Labour Party members in North West Durham have selected Pat Glass to be their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate at the next General Election.

They made their choice at a hustings meeting held in Consett. Mrs Glass, from Lanchester, County Durham, aged 52, hopes to succeed long-serving Labour MP, Hilary Armstrong as the area’s Member of Parliament.

After the result, Pat Glass said:

“I am truly honoured to have been chosen by Labour Party members to be their candidate for North West Durham. Throughout this contest it has been clear that many people wanted a local person to succeed Hilary as the Labour Candidate. I was born in North West Durham and have continued to live here throughout my working life. I understand the area and the challenges we face. Labour has delivered a great deal of things for this constituency but there is still a lot to do.

Catherine McKinnell is Labour’s choice for Newcastle North

A mum of two young children is to be Labour’s candidate for Newcastle North at the next General Election.

Catherine McKinnell, aged 33, a solicitor from Newcastle has been selected by Labour Party members in the constituency to be their candidate following the retirement of Doug Henderson MP. Mr Henderson announced in July that he would be stepping down from Parliament next year after 23 years in Westminster.

Catherine was born in Denton and grew up in the West End of Newcastle attending Comprehensive school in Fenham before graduating from Edinburgh University.

She currently works for a large Newcastle Law Firm specialising in employment law.

Catherine McKinnell said:

“It’s a huge honour to have been chosen by Labour members to contest Newcastle North. I was born and brought up in Newcastle and I’ve continued to live here. It’s home for my family.

Cameron’s cuts would hit police in the North East

Jacqui Smith MP, Labour’s Home Secretary, and Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell have criticised Tory spending plans which would see cuts, equivalent to 183 fewer police officers in the region.

It follows announcements on Monday by David Cameron that he intends to restrict the Home Office’s budget to a 1 per cent real terms increase for 2009/10, which would require a cut of £160 million in just three months’ time.

Labour’s Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:

“David Cameron’s plans for sudden cuts in public spending would be equivalent to slashing the number of police officers in the North East by 183…

Labour selects Julie Elliott for Sunderland Central

Labour members in Sunderland Central have today selected Julie Elliott to be the Labour Candidate at the next General Election.

The vacancy occurred after the decision by Chris Mullin MP to retire from Parliament at the next General Election.

Julie Elliott, aged 45, is currently a Political Officer with the GMB Union.

Mum of four grown-up children, she is a local Sunderland Labour Party activist and Chair of Sunderland Central Labour Party.

Julie Elliott, said:

“It’s an honour to have been selected by the Labour Party to be their candidate for Sunderland Central. I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve the city I love and can’t wait to start campaigning for a Labour victory at the next General Election, whenever that may be.”