8.30pm update: Ian Gibson, the Labour MP for Norwich North has been barred by a Labour disciplinary panel from standing again for the party at the next election (the same fate was delivered to three MPs who had already announced they were standing down: Margaret Moran, Elliot Morley and David Chaytor). Conservative candidate Chloe Smith has been in place since January 2008 and needs a swing of 8.3% to overtunr the notional Labour majority of 6,769.
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11 am update: Sky News is now reporting that a third Labour MP is to quit - Beverley Hughes, Children's minister will step down as MP for Stretford and Urmston in Greater Manchester at the general election. Mark Versallion has been Conservative candidate since October 2007 and needs a swing of 10.6% to overturn the notional Labour majority of 8,310.
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This morning brings news of two more Labour MPs retiring at the general election.
David Chaytor, the MP for Bury North who has already had the Labour whip suspended over the allegation that he claimed £13,000 for a non-existent mortgage, has said he will not be seeking re-election at the general election.
The Conservative candidate, David Nuttall, has been in place since November 2006 and with or without Mr Chaytor, the notional Labour majority of 2,059 was always going to be high on the party's target list. He will take the seat with a swing of 2.5%
Meanwhile, the former Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has announced her intention to vacate Leicester West at the general election. A Conservative candidate is yet to be selected in the seat, which has not had a Conservative MP since it was created in its current incarnation in 1974. The incoming Labour candidate will have to defend a notional majority of 8,539 over the Conservatives, who would need a swing of a little over 13% to gain the seat.
Jonathan Isaby
