ConservativeHome's Seats & Candidates blog: Sunderland Central

Another Labour MP quits

On Saturday we noted that Chris Mullins was quitting the Sunderland Central seat.

We learn today that another Labour MP - David Taylor is also quitting.

These are both signs that Labour MPs - forbidden by Labour rules from 'chicken running' to safer seats - are, perhaps, fearful of losing their seats when opinion polls are putting the Conservatives so far ahead.

In any case it's good news for Lee Martin in Sunderland and Andrew Bridgen in Leicestershire NW. Both will find it easier to unseat a Labour candidate without any incumbency advantage.

Do email us if you hear of other MPs 'standing down'.

May 12, 2008 at 14:14 in Chicken Watch, Leicestershire NW, Sunderland Central | Permalink | Comments (12)

Chris Mullin quits in face of the Tories' 'Sunderland surge'

The Sunderland Echo is reporting that veteran Labour MP Chris Mullin won't be contesting the new Sunderland Central seat at the next General Election. Mr Mullin had been adopted for the seat but appears to have had a change of heart.

Has it got anything to do with the Tories' 'Sunderland surge'? Ten years ago the Conservatives had just four seats on Sunderland council. They now have 22, gaining five more at the local elections. Labour have 48 seats.

The projected Labour majority is a large 9,040 for Sunderland Central but if you add up the votes in the nine wards that voted on 1st May and make up the seat you get the following numbers:

Conservative 10,573 (40%)
Labour 8,099 (31%)
Liberal Democrat 3,788 (14%)
BNP 2,845 (11%)
Independent 1,203 (5%)

Those familar with election nights will know that Sunderland Central is likely to be the first seat to declare. It would be quite something if Lee Martin - our candidate pictured below with David Cameron and (right) Cllr Peter Wood (Wearside Chairman) is the first declared MP of the next Parliament. Our MEP in the region, Martin Callanan, describes Cllr Martin as "star quality". Good luck to Lee.