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The Next Generation: Parliamentary Candidates to Watch

2010 is going to mark a watershed in British politics. The General Election could see the greatest influx of new
Members into the Chamber since the Second World War. The expenses scandal last year, for all its tabloid
headlines, has forced the party leaders to re-examine their selection processes, and has resulted in local parties
looking beyond the standard criteria for candidates. The result has been a wave of genuinely fascinating,
intellectual and professionally astute candidates.
Following on from the much acclaimed edition last year, Insight Public Affairs have continued to examine the next
generation of MPs. In this – the second edition – we profile a further 32 candidates – most of whom have been
selected in the recent months and witnessed heightened prominence in the parties and the media.
As before, the so called ‘ones to watch’ have been selected for their ability, potential and ambition to become
influential political players in British politics after the forthcoming election. Please send your comments on this
publication to nextgeneration@insightpa.com

Contents
Introduction Labour PPCs
John Lehal 1 Kate Green 24
Lillian Greenwood 25
Conservative PPCs Liz Kendall 26
Angie Bray 3 Shabana Mahmood 27
Fiona Bruce 4 Lisa Nandy 28
John Glen 5 Emilie Oldknow 29
Robert Halfon 6 Chi Onwurah 30
Matthew Hancock 7 Bridget Phillipson 31
Sajid Javid 8 Anas Sarwar 32
Jo Johnson 9 John Woodcock 33
Kwasi Kwarteng 10
Phillip Lee 11
Lib Dem PPCs
Jonathan Lord 12 Sal Brinton 35 All polling data has
Bridget Fox 36 been sourced from
Penny Mordaunt 13 Thrasher & Rawlings.
Neil Parish 14
Claire Perry 15 Retiring MPs Insight Public Affairs
would like to express
Stephen Phillips 16 Retiring MPs and selected PPCs 38 their thanks to the
PPC data analysis 42 contributors who have
Daniel Poulter 17 helped produce this
Dominic Raab 18 New constituencies and boundary publication.
David Rutley 19 changes in marginal seats 43 Cover illustration by
Julian Smith 20 Morten Morland
Bob Stewart 21 About Insight Public Affairs Edited by:
Rory Stewart 22 About Insight Public Affairs 44 Stephanie Reeves
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Introduction

In July 2009, we published volume one of Insight’s ‘Parliamentary


Candidates to Watch’ – the candidates we expect to be the rising stars after
the next election. Since then, there has been a rush of MPs from all parties
who have announced their intention to stand down from safe seats.
Many have become jaded by the expenses scandal and public disdain
for politics and politicians. Some have been asked by party hierarchies
to stand aside to give the next generation of candidates a chance.
The last six months have been a blur of short-listing and selections in seats that many assumed would not
become available for many years. With so many new candidates – soon to become new MPs – arriving on
the scene, we thought it necessary to produce a second volume of our guide to the best PPCs – profiling
candidates we judge to be the Ministers and Shadow Ministers of tomorrow.
Looking through the list, several are career politicians, having worked their way up the ranks through the
Special Adviser route or as party apparatchiks. These candidates will hit the ground sprinting in the early hours
of 7 May 2010 – staff recruited; clear about the campaigns they will fight; having selected their policy priorities;
and ready to deliver their contribution on the floor of House in what will be one of 250 Maiden Speeches.
Those who get to grips quickly with Westminster life and impress their new leaders, are promised the
opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ed Miliband, Ed Balls, Michael Gove and Grant Shapps –
to make it to the junior ministerial or shadow ministerial ranks soon after taking their seats. Certainly the likes
of Bob Stewart and Kate Green have in their professional lives made considerable impact and could quickly be
making their contribution from the front bench. At the same time, John Woodcock and Matthew Hancock have
political experience gained in the cut and thrust of the Westminster village, and with their knowledge of
Westminster and Whitehall will be quickly moving up the ranks.
We have now profiled over 60 candidates in total, and we know there are still several MPs still to join the
138 who have announce their retirements, and countless Conservative Associations and CLPs still to select
their candidates. We will resist publishing a third tranche, but will continue to publish occasional briefings and
analysis in the run-up to the election and beyond. When I spoke to a candidate profiled in the first volume,
they suggested a more interesting exercise would be to see who from the amalgamated list would make
an ‘A’ list of 30... we will resist that temptation too!
Come the election, many psephologists will be watching to see whether the Conservatives capture their 117
seats to form a majority. Others will want to know which way the bellweather constituencies such as Derby
North, Kingswood, Hyndburn and East Renfrewshire fall. At Insight’s election night party we’ll be paying extra
attention to how many of our 62 profiled candidates have made it over the next hurdle.
All of us in political advocacy wait with baited breath to see what the most eagerly awaited election in a
generation holds in store. Beyond that, we are busy predicting the legislation likely to feature in the Queen’s
Speech on 12 May 2010, and assessing its impact. We hope that this guide will give you a flavour of those
people who will be shaping the political landscape the other side of May 2010.

John Lehal
Managing Director

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

What they bring to the party:


Conservative PPCs
James Tyrrell
Director, Insight Public Affairs

With 565 Conservative Party candidates selected so far, the race to find the next generation of
Conservative MPs is nearly over. The Candidate Selection team, headed by John Maples MP, has
succeeded in recent months in broadening and deepening the diversity of candidates on offer. Local
associations and electorate have also played a big part with the growing number of open-primaries,
ensuring candidates selected have the support of both the party and the local community.
David Cameron’s desire to groom a new intake of political ‘outsiders’, to provide a breath of fresh air to the
voting public in the wake of the ‘anti-politics’ backlash surrounding the expenses scandal has been successful,
with a former miner, an author, retired military personnel, entrepreneurs and social workers selected. Since his
announcement in May to allow people who have not even been members of the party to stand for the
Conservatives, more than 4,000 expressions of interest have been received by CCHQ.
This was certainly alluring to Rory Stewart, who confessed to being an active supporter of Labour in his teens.
The Harvard professor and now PPC for Penrith and the Borders, has an impressive CV that boasts a career in
the army, as a diplomat and time spent as a deputy governor in Iraq. His achievements include setting up a
charity in Afghanistan and taking time to walk across the entire country.
But despite the strides made to select candidates from a diverse background, many have enjoyed a privileged
upbringing – a high proportion have been privately educated. However, the party has been right to concentrate
on aspects of diversity outside social class and educational background, hence the new intake will likely feature
more women, gay and ethnic minority candidates. But, fighting on the basis of people’s backgrounds is
something the average voter just isn’t interested in. More important will be what the candidates can bring to
the party. Our selection of “Ones to Watch” highlights a number of candidates who are experts in their field.
From law, Stephen Phillips became one of the youngest QCs in the country at the age of only 38 and has
recently been appointed as a Crown Court Recorder, whilst Fiona Bruce is well-regarded as a reputable solicitor
in the North West. Dr Daniel Poulter and Dr Phillip Lee will join a number of medics in the Commons and will
bolster the next generation of health champions following the departure of Dr Howard Stoate, Dr Doug Naysmith
and Dr Brian Iddon at the election.
Colonel Bob Stewart, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry in Bosnia, brings front line
military experience. No stranger to politics, he has met or briefed every Prime Minister since Ted Heath and his
counsel will no doubt be welcome as David Cameron inherits some difficult decisions around defence spending.
Angie Bray gave up her seat in the London Assembly to focus on her campaign, whilst former South West
MEP, Neil Parish will inherit Angela Browning’s comfortable majority in Tiverton and Honiton.
Businessman David Rutley brings ‘real world experience’ garnered as a senior executive in Asda, PepsiCo, Halifax
General Insurance and Barclays. He also has an impressive record working as a Special Adviser in the last
Conservative Government. Rutley is not the only candidate with such experience. Former Chief of Staff to Oliver
Letwin MP and Advisory Board Member of Iain Duncan-Smith’s Centre for Social Justice, Robert Halfon is a well
established member of the Cameroon crowd and a sure bet to overturn Bill Rammell’s majority of 230. He will
likely be joined by Matthew Hancock, George Osborne’s Chief of Staff, Dominic Raab, Chief of Staff to Shadow
Justice Secretary Dominic Grieve MP, and Claire Perry, also from the Shadow Chancellor’s team.
Despite the leaderships’ efforts to introduce 50:50 male-female shortlists, about a third of candidates selected
in top and target seats have been women, although our analysis of selections shows that women have been
selected in just 9 of the 36 very safest seats being vacated by Conservative MPs at the next election.
Interesting then that Caroline Dineage, Sarah Wollaston and Fiona Bruce all won handsomely in open primary
and full postal ballots. Open primaries in the seats yet to select candidates may be the best way for the party
leadership to fulfil their ambition to see more women selected in Conservative-held seats.

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Angie Bray
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Ealing Central and Acton
MAJORITY: 839 (2.16%)
SWING REQUIRED: 1.08%
INCUMBENT: Andy Slaughter MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND She stood down from the London Assembly in


An established broadcaster, Conservative Central 2008 to concentrate on her campaign, saying
Office staffer and latterly London Assembly Member, “I certainly would not have taken on a full-time
Bray has a CV that is both diverse and impressive to job in the last couple of years while grappling with
make her a good bet for high office in any future the constituency”. Her determination should
Conservative Government. Before catching the reward her with victory in May.
politics bug, Bray enjoyed a successful career in
broadcasting; working for British Forces Broadcasting CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
in Gibraltar where she presented the daily tea time The new constituency of Ealing Central and Acton
show, before moving to London where she spent has come about as a result of the Boundary
eight years with LBC radio, covering London issues. Commission’s redrawing of the old Ealing, Acton
and Shepherd’s Bush constituency. The current
Like many before her, she took her broadcasting incumbent is Labour MP, Andy Slaughter. The old
expertise and put it to good use in political constituency linked Ealing and Acton with multi
communications – taking a role in the Conservative cultural Shepherd’s Bush and White City. The new
Party Press Office then becoming press secretary to constituency will be more suburban and more
the Chairman of the Party, Chris Patten. In 1997 she Conservative. Figures suggest that although there is
stood as the Conservative Candidate in East Ham. a notional Labour majority, Ealing Central and Acton
looks set to be one of the closest three way
From 2000, Bray served two terms as a member marginals in the country.
of the London Assembly, representing London
West Central, a constituency covering Westminster,
Hammersmith and Fulham, and Kensington and
Chelsea. During her time in the London Assembly,
Bray served as leader of the Conservative group and
spokesperson on issues including Transport, Arts and
Culture and the Olympics. If she wins her seat, Bray
will follow Andrew Pelling (Croydon Central), Bob
Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) and Meg Hillier
(Hackney South and Shoreditch) as AM’s who
successfully made the transition from City Hall
to Westminster.

“Angie combines holding strong views with a great sense of fun.


She has been fearless in tackling Red Ken on the London Assembly.”
Councillor Harry Phibbs

CONTACT A: 39 Broughton Road, London W13 8QW E: help@angiebray.org.uk


T: 020 8579 0107 W: www.angiebray.org.uk

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Fiona Bruce
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Congleton
MAJORITY: 8,246 (17.7%)
INCUMBENT: Lady Ann Winterton MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Bruce won the Congleton Selection convincingly in


Businesswoman Bruce heads up Fiona Bruce & Co. the first ballot of an Open Primary of which she is
LLP, one of Warrington’s leading Law Firms, something of a veteran. When she contested
which she founded and has developed over the Warrington South in 2005 her selection was
past 20 years. noteworthy for being the Conservative’s first ever
attempt at an open selection. There was deep
Bruce has garnered a considerable reputation for her concern that rival parties would attempt to influence
skills in business, having been awarded the Small the result but in the event, they didn’t and Fiona’s
Business Bureau’s Businesswoman of the Year victory gave the party the confidence to use them
Award and being voted ‘Most Inspiring Business more widely. Her 2005 election campaign in
Woman’ by SHE Magazine. Fiona Bruce & Co. LLP Warrington South was described as ‘feisty’; she
was the first sole practice Law Firm in the country to halved Labour’s majority and was widely praised.
gain the Investors in People Award and also the Law More recently, Bruce narrowly missed out on
Society Lexcel Award. In addition to developing selection for the Skipton and Ripon, Penrith
Fiona Bruce & Co. LLP, she setup a Free Legal Advice and the Border and Macclesfield seats before
Clinic in Latchford over 15 years ago, which she still winning Congleton.
oversees today, to provide assistance to those with
no access to a CAB. Last year, she co-founded an CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
innovative high street Advice Centre in Widnes The Congleton constituency is made up of small
which helps local people with problems such as towns and villages interspersed with rural businesses
debts, drug abuse and teenage pregnancy. and farms. It is strong commuter territory by road to
Manchester and Liverpool, with the M6 dissecting
Bruce has been a Councillor on the Unitary Council the constituency, and by rail to London, with the
of Warrington for six years since she won a ward outskirts of Crewe fringing the southern tips of
thought safe by Labour in 2004. She subsequently the constituency.
increased her majority at the next election and was
appointed an Executive Councillor with responsibility The current incumbent, Lady Ann Winterton, has
for Value for Money and then Finance as well. represented Congleton since 1983. She is standing
down at the next election in the wake of the expenses
As a Councillor, her initiative and drive caught the scandal in which Winterton and her husband,
eye of then Conservative leader, Michael Howard, MP Sir Nicholas Winterton, were investigated by the
to whom Bruce referred the case of 69-year-old Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
Margaret Dixon, one of Fiona’s Council ward
constituents with a health difficulty. Michael Howard
raised this at Prime Minister’s Question Time to
highlight failures in the National Health Service,
putting Labour on the back-foot over health at the
outset of the 2005 General Election campaign.

“I couldn’t be more pleased, she is going to be a wonderful,


wonderful MP.”
Tim Montgomerie, Conservative Home

CONTACT A: Justice House, 3 Grappenhall Road, E: fbruce@fionabruce.co.uk


Stockton Heath, Warrington, W: www.fionabruce.co.uk
Cheshire WA4 2AH
T: 01270 625144
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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

John Glen
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Salisbury
MAJORITY: 8,860 (19.5%)
INCUMBENT: Robert Key MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Between 2000 and 2001, Glen returned to advise


Born and raised in Lacock, Wiltshire, Glen can attest William Hague as Head of the Political Section in
to a three generation connection with Salisbury. His Conservative Central Office, assisting with the
mother was born in the city, his grandparents met briefing for Prime Ministers’ Questions. On his
and married in Salisbury, and his great-grandfather departure from Accenture, Glenn went on to work
ran the gas works during the Second World War. full time as Deputy Director and subsequently
Glen was selected at an open primary in front of a Director, of the Conservative Research Department
500 strong crowd in January 2010. His competition, under Michael Howard and David Cameron. It was
Victoria Atkins and Zehra Zaidi, put up a good fight during this time that Glen set up the secretariat for
but it was not enough with Glen taking victory on the the Conservative Party’s Policy Review Groups.
second ballot. Glen was supported by Salisbury
resident Tim Montgomerie, editor of ConHome in his Glen’s principal area of policy interest is education,
selection. Glen was a finalist in the Tiverton and and he is a board member of the centre for policy
Honiton selection, but appears to have held out for studies in foreign affairs having travelled to South
another seat until Robert Key announced his Africa, Uganda and the Maldives in his capacity as
retirement in December 2009. policy advisor for the Westminster Foundation for
Democracy. This will not be the first time that Glen
Educated at King Edwards School in Bath, where he has fought for a parliamentary seat – he stood as
was Head Boy, Glen went on to read Modern History the Conservative candidate for Plymouth Devonport
at Oxford University. Liked by his peers, he served as in 2001. Glen is married to Emma and has two
JCR President in 1995, he was active in student step-children. Actively involved in his church, Glen is
welfare and elected as one of two class also a Patron of Mansfield College Oxford and sits as
representatives whilst subsequently studying for his a Justice of the Peace in Westminster.
MBA at Cambridge, completing his Oxbridge double.
CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
Before making the leap into politics Glen worked as The Salisbury seat returned William Pitt the Younger
a Senior Advisor to the Global Head of Strategy at as Prime Minister in the eighteenth century. It
Accenture from 1997 to 2004. In addition to heading includes the City of Salisbury itself and Stonehenge.
up the in-house think tank, Glen coordinated the Large parts of this Wiltshire constituency have
firm’s participation in the World Economic Forum military links and a notable portion represents
(Davos) and has led leadership projects on military training ground. It has been a Conservative
globalisation and sustainability. His particular area of seat since 1945 and looks set to remain so after
expertise has developed in the oil and gas industries. May. Current incumbent, Robert Key, will vacate the
seat where he was re-elected with a majority of
Glen’s political career began when he worked as a 11,142 in 2005.
researcher to Michael Bates MP (now Lord Bates)
and Gary Streeter in the run-up to the 1997 election.

“I have no doubt John will play a significant role in a future


Conservative Government. He has absolute integrity, excellent
political instincts and is highly regarded at all levels in the Party.”
Rt Hon William Hague MP

CONTACT A: The Morrison Hall, 12 Brown Street, E: johnglen@salisburyconservatives.com


Salisbury SP1 1HE W: www.salisburyconservatives.com
T: 01722 333 141

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Robert Halfon
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Harlow
MAJORITY: 230 (0.58%)
INCUMBENT: Bill Rammell MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND traffic congestion in the constituency. Two years ago


A prominent fixture on the Conservative scene for a he set upwww.fedupwithharlowtraffic.com which calls
number of years, Halfon has the confidence of the for an extra by-pass on the M11 to relieve much of the
party leadership and constituency association in traffic strain through the town.
contesting the seat for a third time this year having
first been elected PPC for Harlow in 1999. Halfon is very interested in literacy and educational
attainment. He is a former Governor of Passmores
Having gained a BA in Politics and a Masters in School and during his campaign in Harlow he has
Russian and Eastern Europe Studies from Exeter visited numerous schools. Given this passion, and
University, Halfon went on to become Chief of Staff with his experience at the CSJ, it is likely that Halfon
to Oliver Letwin MP, before becoming a political will push for a place on the Children, Schools and
consultant to a number of organisations including Families Select Committee in the next Parliament.
Conservative Friends of Israel. He is an advisory
board member for the Centre for Social Justice and Halfon enjoys football and supports both Harlow
alongside William Hague, Tim Montgomerie and Football Club and is a season ticket holder for
Stanley Kalms, Halfon established the Renewing One Chelsea. In 2007 and 2009, he completed sponsored
Nation Unit which sought to develop deeper links swims for the Alzheimer’s Society and lost two stone
with Britain’s voluntary, community and faith sectors on a sponsored diet for Harlow Mind in 2004.
in order to better understand today’s social
CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
challenges . In doing so, Halfon established himself
There are considerable problems with social housing
as the archetypal compassionate Conservative and
and areas of deprivation in Harlow that, on the
this has been echoed in his expeditions to Rwanda
surface, would make it an unlikely Conservative win.
with Andrew Mitchell MP to teach English and to
However, the predicted national swing in 2010
better understand the impact of the genocide on the
should be enough to unseat Bill Rammell. Despite
country. He has written extensively on the subject.
Rammell’s strong hold on the constituency, Halfon
He is also a member of Conservative Way Forward.
has maintained an excellent campaign throughout
Halfon honed his campaign skills as Parish Councillor his candidacy and has solidified his support.
for Roydon and has maintained a strong campaign in
Harlow which should see him take this seat at the
next Election. He is a Trustee of Harlow Employability,
a former Patron of the Harlow Homeless Centre and
has been particularly vocal in his campaign to tackle

“After ten years of being a Parliamentary Candidate for Harlow and


fighting two elections already (losing by 97 votes last time), I
know that the work is never completed and there is still so much
to do. I have to continue to campaign day and night and prove to
people that I deserve the chance to serve as Harlow’s next MP.”
Robert Halfon

CONTACT A: Latton Bush Centre, E: halfon4harlow@roberthalfon.com


Southern Way, Harlow, W: www.roberthalfon.org.uk
Essex CM18 7BL
T: 01279 429 251
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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Matthew Hancock
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Suffolk West
MAJORITY: 8,735 (19.92%)
INCUMBENT: Richard Spring MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND His experience of the Conservative Party is not


Hancock had been scheduled to attend the annual confined to advising senior Shadow Cabinet
World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in mid Ministers, however. He joined the Party in 1999 and
January 2010 with the rest of Conservative high has campaigned at dozens of by-elections, run for
command, but cancelled the visit after being placed council seats and volunteered as an agent at the
on the final shortlist of six candidates for West 2001 election. He is currently Treasurer of his local
Suffolk. The decision to stay behind was clearly Association.
the right one as 31 year old Hancock beat Natalie
Elphicke in the final round by 88 votes to 81 to Something of an all round action man, Hancock took
clinch victory. two months out to go to the Arctic and as part of
his training programme lugged tyres in Hyde Park
Born and raised in Cheshire, Hancock’s family ran at 6am. He holds the World Record for the most
a small farm outside Maples. He went on to read northerly game of cricket played at the North Pole.
Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford He is married to Martha and they have two young
University, graduating with a first class degree and children, Hope and Ferdinand.
this was followed by a Masters at Cambridge in
Economics. After a stint working for the family CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
computer software business in Cheshire, Hancock Current MP, Richard Spring is standing down at the
was soon snapped up by the Bank of England next election and bequeaths a majority of nearly
where he worked as an economist in the Monetary 9 000 to Hancock. The seat itself is fairly diverse,
Assessment and Strategy Division for five years. the largest town is Haverhill and is an industrial
manufacturing town, although much of the
In 2005, Hancock joined Shadow Chancellor, George constituency is rural. There are some relatively
Osborne’s team as Chief of Staff. He is responsible insignificant boundary changes which see it lose
for a twelve strong team and advises Cameron, parts of Pakenham, Cavendish and Horringer and
Osborne and Clarke on developing Treasury policy in Whelnetham, but gain tiny parts of Risby and
particular helping businesses through the recession Chedburgh. The Northern part of the seat is
and tackling the deficit. He becomes the second home to two huge United States Air Force bases,
member of Osborne’s team to be selected for a safe RAF Mildenhall (home of the 100th Air Refueling
constituency following Claire Perry’s selection in Wing) and RAF Lakenheath (home of the 48th
Devizes. He made no secret of his desire to follow Fighter Wing).
Osborne in representing a Cheshire constituency, and
talked of “putting down roots again” in the county
when he was a finalist in the Congleton selection.

“Hancock has the aura of a person who could go to the very


top of the Tory party and will probably find himself fast tracked
into the Cabinet.”
Graham Dines, East Anglian Daily Times

CONTACT A: 4a Exeter Road, Newmarket, E: office@westsuffolkconservatives.com


Suffolk CB8 8LT
T: 01638 565 945

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Sajid Javid
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Bromsgrove
MAJORITY: 10,080 (21.08%)
INCUMBENT: Julie Kirkbride MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Javid has a commendable record in community


40 year old businessman and private investor, Javid work; he raised £710,000 in a single event for the
was selected as the Conservative Candidate for British Red Cross and has led a charity expedition to
Bromsgrove on the 6th February 2010. He succeeds the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro for Help the Aged.
Julie Kirkbride, who has a 10,000 majority. Speaking He is also a Trustee of Westminster Children’s
at the selection, Javid described it as ‘an honour’ to Society, London’s largest childcare charity.
have been shortlisted for Bromsgrove where he
eventually took 70% of the vote against Charles CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
Barwell to clinch victory. Previously Javid came second Only once, at the 1971 by-election, has this seat
in Esher & Walton, and in Orpington where there was fallen from Conservative hands. Julie Kirkbride has
a tie in the fifth and final ballot with Jo Johnson. represented the seat since 1997 and recently
announced that she would not be standing at the
Javid’s father was a bus driver and he is one of five next election. Bromsgrove is situated in the north east
sons. He attended state schools and won a place at of Worcestershire and is south west of Birmingham.
Exeter University to study Economics and Politics. The seat includes the town of Bromsgrove as well as
At 24, Javid became the youngest Vice President in areas of the Birmingham suburbs and several small
history of Chase Manhattan Bank, one of the villages. The greatest political issues in the seat are a
world’s largest companies and was later headhunted lack school places, conflict regarding housing targets
by Deutsche Bank where he specialised in and the encroachment on to green belt land and
emerging markets. He is married to Laura and the demise of MG Rover and a subsequent lack of
they have four children. local employment.
He joined the Party 21 years ago and has been an
active volunteer since. Whilst at university he ran the
Conservative Association with David Burrows MP
and Robert Halfon and the Exeter Enterprise Forum
with Tim Montgomerie, a campaign that attempted
to promote Capitalism to students and produced
leaflets for the 1990 Party Conference opposing ERM
membership. Montgomerie describes him as “a big
believer in the work of the Centre for Social Justice
and a first class economic thinker from his very
successful years in emerging market finance”.

“Sajid has been a passionate advocate of social justice from


the very beginning. He has the compassion and vision we
desperately need in the House.”
Philippa Stroud, Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice

CONTACT A: 37 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, E: sajidjavid@gmail.com


Worcestershire B61 7DN W: www.sajidjavid.com
T: 01527 872135

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Jo Johnson
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Orpington
MAJORITY: 5,221 (10.79%)
INCUMBENT: John Horam MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND British Financial Journalism. Previous ‘Heads of Lex’


With the undeniable family resemblance and include Nigel Lawson, former Chancellor of the
matching CVs – Brussels, Eton, Balliol College and a Exchequer, Martin Taylor, former chief executive of
career in journalism – comparisons between Jo and Barclays Bank, and Richard Lambert, director-general
his older brother, Boris, are inevitable. However, of the Confederation of British Industry. He was
scratch the surface and people who know both men based in New Delhi as the Financial Times’ South
will highlight the different styles which set the Asia bureau chief, leading the team of FT journalists
brothers apart. For a start, younger brother Jo has that cover the region including Pakistan, Afghanistan
bided his time before his move into frontline politics, and Sri Lanka.
establishing himself first as one of the UK’s most
respected, and powerful, financial journalists and Johnson lives in Camden with his wife, Milly
commentators. Perhaps in response to his older Gentleman, a journalist for The Guardian and the
brother’s persona, Jo brings a more meticulous, daughter of artist and designer David Gentleman.
sober and serious approach to politics. They have two children.

Born in 1971, he began his schooling in Brussels, at CONSTITUENCY PROFILE


the European School in Uccle, before attending The Orpington is, geographically, the largest seat in
Hall School in Hampstead, London, Ashdown House London. It includes large parts of open Kent
School in East Sussex, and then Eton College. In countryside between Farnborough and Biggin Hill
1991, he went to Balliol College, Oxford to read aerodrome but mostly it comprises of leafy suburbia
Modern History. He won the Hollway Scholarship at including Orpington itself, Petts Wood, Farnborough,
Balliol, edited Isis, the Oxford University student Chelsfield, Biggin Hill and the more industrial
magazine, and was awarded a First Class degree in St Mary Cray.
both Honour Moderations and Finals. A fluent French
It is a traditional suburban Conservative stronghold
speaker, he went on to postgraduate study on the
despite the Liberal Democrats putting up a strong
continent and has degrees from two further leading
opposition over the years. The 1962 by-election in
European universities, gaining an MBA from INSEAD
Orpington, when the Tories lost to the Liberal
in 2000 and a licence spéciale with distinction in
candidate Eric Lubbock with a massive swing of
1995 from the Institut d’Etudes Européennes at the
26.5%, was a watershed for British politics and
Université Libre de Bruxelles, where he was a
more recently the Liberal Democrats came close in
Wiener-Anspach Fellow.
the 2001 election. However this seems to have
Johnson has worked as an investment banker for now receded.
Deutsche Bank and in 1997 joined the Financial
Times. Currently Johnson is the head of the Lex
Column, one of the most influential positions in

“Jo Johnson’s recent selection showed the potency


of the Johnson brand.”
Tim Montgomerie, Conservative Home

CONTACT A: 6 Sevenoaks Road, Orpington BR6 9JJ E: Jo@Jo-Johnson.com

9
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Kwasi Kwarteng
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Spelthorne
MAJORITY: 9,936 (23.2%)
INCUMBENT: David Wilshire MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Kwarteng represents a breath of fresh air in this


Kwarteng’s parents lived in Ghana before moving seat and certainly has a lot to offer both in the
to London where he was born in 1975. He won a constituency and on Cameron’s frontbenches. Despite
scholarship to Eton and from there went to Cambridge the furore of last year’s expense scandal, Spelthorne
and Harvard before returning to Cambridge to looks set to return another Conservative member and
complete a doctorate in Economic History. with Kwarteng’s success so far he will certainly be
one to watch after the next General Election.
During his career, Kwarteng has worked as an
investment analyst, author and a journalist. He Kwarteng is currently writing a book about the
became Chairman of the Bow Group in 2006 and international legacy of the British Empire entitled
was a candidate for the London Assembly in 2008. ‘Ghosts of Empire’.
He also stood as the Conservative Candidate for
Brent East at the General Election in 2005. CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
Historically, this is a strong Conservative seat having
At the Spelthorne selection, 490 people turned out returned Conservative members to Parliament since
to vote in the open primary despite the snowy the 1950’s. This Middlesex constituency has more in
conditions in early January, and local association common with a suburban surrey seat as it is firmly in
members were out-numbered two to one by local the residential commuter belt.
residents. Kwarteng beat five other candidates:
Philippa Broom, Katy Bourne, Michael McManus, The current incumbent, David Wilshire MP, was
Lynne Hack, and Therese Coffey. He inherits David elected to represent Spelthorne in 1987 but last year
Wilshire MP’s majority of nearly 10,000. Local decided to stand down following the expenses
Association Chairman, Graeme Reid, described scandal.
his efforts on the selection night as having “captured
the audience’s confidence. With Spelthorne
Conservatives united behind him, he is sure to go
on and inspire the rest of the electorate.”

“Kwasi Kwarteng is one of the most intellectually able people


I know and would make an outstanding MP.”
Boris Johnson

CONTACT A: 55 Cherry Orchard, Staines, E: kwart2000@hotmail.com


Middlesex TW18 2SQ W: www.kwart2010.com

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Dr Phillip Lee
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Bracknell
MAJORITY: 10,037 (21.96%)
INCUMBENT: Andrew Mackay MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Lee has been active in local politics for many years,
Born in Buckinghamshire in 1970, Lee was educated joining Beaconsfield Conservative Association in
at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow, 1992. In 2001, Lee successfully ran in a local council
before studying Human Biology and Biological by-election in Beaconsfield, achieving a significant
Anthropology at King’s College London and Keble swing from the Liberal Democrats.
College, Oxford, and then medicine at St Mary’s
Hospital Medical School at Imperial College London. In the 2005 General Election, Lee was the
Conservative Party Candidate for Blaenau Gwent in
Lee currently lives in Bisham, Berkshire and works South Wales. In May 2006, Lee was selected for
as a part-time GP throughout the Thames Valley. the Conservative Party Priority List of Candidates.
He was selected for Bracknell at an open primary in
Outside of politics and medicine, Lee has a real October 2009, where he was selected ahead of
passion for travelling, having spent months exploring Rory Stewart who came second, and Iain Dale
Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America and who was placed third.
the South Pacific. An all round sportsman, Lee also
enjoys football, rugby, cricket and skiing. CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
The Bracknell constituency is relatively new having
Lee’s medical background will undoubtedly be a only been created 40 years ago. The town has
weighty factor in the causes he champions as an grown rapidly in the past few years and sits in the
MP. He has previously written for ConHome about affluent M4 corridor. Crowthorne, Sandhurst and
the lack of scientists and mathematicians in the Finchampstead are also in the constituency.
Commons and with the number of specialist health Congestion and planning are therefore among the
advocates from all parties standing down at the next largest issues facing the town.
election, Lee will be redressing the balance.
In addition to this healthcare experience, he has
a strong interest in energy security policy.

“Phillip has precisely the right mix of warmth and ability which
makes for a winning candidate, and I know he will be a superb
asset to the next Conservative government.”
Rt Hon Dominic Grieve MP

CONTACT A: 10 Milbanke Court, Milbanke Way, E: phillip@phillip-lee.com


Western Road, Bracknell RG12 1RP W: www.philip-lee.com
T: 01344 868286

11
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Jonathan Lord
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Woking
MAJORITY: 6,612 (14.4%)
INCUMBENT: Humphrey Malins MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND CONSTITUENCY PROFILE


Lord was selected as the Conservative candidate for Woking itself is commuter territory being located
the Woking constituency after the current MP, near to London and has good rail links. However
Humphrey Malins, decided to stand down last there are local concerns about the state of the road
spring. Lord faced an open primary and fought off network in the constituency and the impact that
three other candidates Dr Lynne Hack, Dr. Fiona Heathrow’s Terminal 5 has had on congestion
Kemp and Stephen Phillips QC to clinch victory on through the area.
the first ballot.
A steadfastly secure Conservative seat, Lord looks set
Lord was a director of Saatchi and Saatchi until to sweep into Westminster come the next election.
2000 where he ran international campaigns for However with voter apathy and a strong local Liberal
Hewlett-Packard across Europe, Africa and the Democrat opposition it will be interesting to see the
Middle East. He is currently a marketing consultant, strength of his majority.
using his media and communications skills to help
and advise medium and small sized businesses.
Between 1994 and 2002, Lord was a Councillor in
the City of Westminster for the Little Venice Ward.
During this time he was also Deputy Leader of
Westminster Council and Chairman of the
Environment Committee. Born in Oldham, he
contested the Oldham West and Royton constituency
in 1997 taking 10,693 (23.4%) of the vote. Last
year, he was elected to Surrey County Council and
he is currently the Chairman of the Guildford
Conservative Association.
Lord was educated at Shrewsbury School and at
Merton College, Oxford. Whilst at Oxford he was
president of the Oxford University Conservative
Association (1983). He is married to Caroline and
has a son and a daughter. They currently live in
Blackheath, Guildford, just five miles from the
Woking constituency.

“Jonathan Lord is a name to watch – intelligent,


committed, energetic and with outstanding media
and communications experience.”
Jeremy Hunt MP

CONTACT A: Churchill House, Chobham Road, E: jonathan_lord@lycos.com


Woking, Surrey GU21 4AA W: www.wokingconservatives.org.uk
T: 01483 773384

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Penny Mordaunt
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Portsmouth North
MAJORITY: 300 (0.3%)
SWING REQUIRED: 0.38%
INCUMBENT: Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND Mordaunt was first selected to contest Portsmouth


Born in 1973, Penny was two when her family moved North in November 2003 for the 2005 election.
to Portsmouth. Her father was in the Parachute Reselected in January 2006, Mordaunt has to overturn
Regiment before becoming a teacher and later a youth a 300 notional Labour majority to win in 2010.
worker for Hampshire Council. Her mother was a Mordaunt has come out in fierce opposition to women
special needs teacher and her stepmother is also a only shortlists declaring that such lists would only
local primary school teacher. produce MPs who ‘will always be seen as second rate’.
Mordaunt was educated at Oaklands RC Even with the pressures of working while fighting for a
Comprehensive School and then the University of Parliamentary seat, Mordaunt is a Royal Navy reservist
Reading where she read Philosophy. During this time and is training at King Alfred on Whale Island.
she was also elected President of the Students’ Union.
CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
Mordaunt started her professional career in The constituency of Portsmouth North comprises of
communications and has been Communications residential estates and suburbs on the main land as
Director of Kensington and Chelsea Council, the well as the ferry terminals of Portsea Island. The seat
National Lottery and the Freight Transport Association therefore presents some interesting social challenges
where she supported British truckers during the French and the local electorate have, until recently, favoured
blockades. Mordaunt has since developed a niche as solid local Labour candidates such as Syd Rapson.
a healthcare specialist. She was Director of Strategy, However, in 2005 Mordaunt won 37.8% of the vote
Policy and Partnerships for Diabetes UK and currently against the current incumbent, Sarah McCarthy-Fry
works as a healthcare consultant, working with MP, reducing Labour’s majority by 10% and making it
various NHS programmes and charities. She is their 7th most marginal seat.
particularly interested in policies affecting older people
and in 2009 helped set up a Centre for Social Justice Mordaunt has fought a powerful campaign on key
Commission for older people. issues in Portsmouth such as transport and congestion
and has set up various volunteering projects to
Penny’s background in political campaigning and improve health, education, the environment and
experience in corporate communications have support local charities.
undoubtedly bolstered her political career. She was
Head of Youth for the Conservatives under John Major
and then Head of Broadcasting under William Hague.
Mordaunt has also worked across the water as Head
of Foreign Press to US President George Bush during
his first presidential election in 2000. On her return to
the UK, she was Chief of Staff to David Willetts during
the 2005 Conservative leadership campaign.

“Smart, focussed and hardworking, with a track record


of improving quality of life for hundreds of people.
Penny will be a real asset on the green benches.”
Rt Hon William Hague MP

CONTACT A: 19 South Street, Portsmouth PO9 1BU E: info@pennymordaunt.com


T: 02392 484 794 W: www.pennymordaunt.com

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Neil Parish
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Tiverton and Honiton
MAJORITY: 9,007 (17.5%)
INCUMBENT: Angela Browning MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Parish was selected to contest the seat over three


Parish cut his political teeth in local politics, serving years ago, defeating Caroline Dineage, Vicky Ford
as District and County Councillor in Somerset before and John Glen in the first ballot in this rural
contesting Pontypool, South Wales in 1997. constituency where Parish’s agricultural experience
will be an asset in representing the seat in
In 1999 he was elected Member of the European Westminster.
Parliament for South West England. Parish
represented this seat in Brussels until 2009 after CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
being re-elected in 2004. Despite spending ten years The incumbent Conservative MP, Angela Browning,
embroiled in European politics, Parish kept one foot is retiring at the next election. The position of
firmly in the English countryside championing animal Tiverton and Honiton amongst the Liberal Democrat
welfare and agriculture issues developed while strongholds in east Devonshire means it has been
managing the family farm in Somerset. a hotly contested seat in the past. In 2005, the
LibDems came second with 29.1% of the vote.
For the duration of his time in Brussels, Parish was a However, it is likely that the largely rural constituency
member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural of Tiverton and Honiton will return a Conservative
Development, presiding as Chair of the Committee Member of Parliament at the next election and
from 2007 to 2009. He was appointed Conservative Parish looks set to do well.
spokesman on agriculture in 2001 and was also the
delegation’s Deputy Chief Whip.
Parish’s most notable accolade is the formation of
the European Parliament’s public inquiry into the
Foot and Mouth outbreak, an inquiry that lasted for
over a year. Cruel bear bile farming in China, live
animal exports to the Middle East and the
importation of cat and dog fur are among the other
causes for which he has campaigned in Europe.

“The expenses stories have led to a break down of trust between


the people and the politicians. We have to reform the system
quickly so we can focus on the daily problems people are facing
during these difficult times.”
Neil Parish

CONTACT A: 9c Mill Park Industrial Estate, White E: neilparishmep@btinternet.com


Cross Road, Woodbury Salterton, Exeter,
Devon EX5 1EL
T: 01278 691717
14
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Claire Perry
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Devizes
MAJORITY: 12,259 (28.63%)
INCUMBENT: Michael Ancram MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Perry represents the new wave of candidates being


Perry was chosen as the Parliamentary Candidate selected by the Conservative Party ahead of the next
for the Devizes constituency in Wiltshire at her first general election and hopes “that as a business
attempt at selection. Perry beat 184 others, person and mother, I can bring a breath of fresh air
including finalists Victoria Atkins, Paul Hearn, to traditional politics.” The large majority she inherits
Jeremy Quin, Nadhim Zahawi and Zehra Zaidi, to be ensures she will be an MP by mid-2010. Her
selected for this seat with the largest Conservative ambition and the esteem in which she’s held by
majority in the region. She inherits the Devizes senior Conservatives mean she looks set to be
constituency from Michael Ancram MP who is rewarded with a role in Government at some point
standing down at the General Election, during any future Conservative administration.
bequeathing a majority of over 12,000.
CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
Perry grew up in Somerset, attending her local Devizes will remain a ‘blue chip’ Conservative seat
comprehensive, Nailsea School, before winning a and with favourable boundary changes the
place at Oxford where she read Geography. She then Conservative majority looks set to increase further.
completed an MBA at Harvard. Following that she Devizes is a traditional Wiltshire farming constituency
pursued a career in banking, working at Credit covering Marlborough, Pewsey and Axford. The
Suisse First Boston, McKinsey and Bank of America. current incumbent, Michael Ancram – MP since
Relatively new to politics – only becoming a party 1992 – is retiring for health reasons.
member in 2006 – she has thrown herself into local
activism, taking up the role as Chairman of her local
party branch in the Salisbury constituency. She
describes herself as ‘not a typical candidate’. Prior to
her selection in Devizes, she worked for George
Osborne MP as a political advisor in his private
office, developing Treasury policy; focusing on job
production and value for money in public services.
It was one of the stipulations of the local party that
successful applicants should have the ability and
desire for a Front Bench career and Perry certainly
has that. Although she remains adamant that she
doesn’t want to run before she can walk she has
said, “if I ever get a chance of a high position in the
next Cameron Government that would be great”.

“Conservatives in Wiltshire have picked the person they


think will be a future government minister.”
Paul Barltrop, BBC Politics Show West

CONTACT A: 116 High Street, Marlborough, E: claire@claireperry.org.uk


Wiltshire SN8 1LZ W: www.devizesconservatives.com
T: 01672 512675

15
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Stephen Phillips QC
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Sleaford and North Hykeham
MAJORITY: 12,687 (24.15%)
INCUMBENT: Douglas Hogg MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Phillips was one of the final four on the Woking


Born into a modest family but benefitting from an shortlist – unsurprising considering he grew up on
assisted place to study law at Oxford, Phillips spent the Goldsworth Park Estate in Woking. Phillips’ wife
brief periods with the 14th/20th King’s Hussars and was brought up in Lincolnshire, although party
the Welsh Guards before being called to the Bar by activists did remark on the lack of local candidates
Lincoln’s Inn in 1993. He was appointed Queen’s shortlisted. In the selection in October 2009, Phillips
Counsel in 2009 and became one of the youngest beat finalists Kwasi Kwarteng, Katy Lindsay,
QCs in the country at the age of only 38. He has Kay Mason, Lucille Nicholson, and Bob Stewart.
recently been appointed as a Crown Court Recorder.
CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
Phillips has built up a successful law practice and Douglas Hogg MP stands down at the next election
when not working as a barrister has also acted as an after claiming for the maintenance of his moat on
advisor to the Shadow Secretary of State for his Parliamentary allowance. The constituency is
Children, Schools and Families, Michael Gove MP. largely rural and comprises of villages, the southern
suburbs of the City of Lincoln and small towns,
He cites saving one of the only remaining the biggest being Sleaford. It is considered a safe
sign-bilingual schools in the country from closure as Conservative seat.
one of his most important achievements, stating that
“deaf kids deserve an education just as much as Notwithstanding the moat, Phillips should have no
hearing kids”. He remains Chair of the Board of difficulty in returning another Conservative victory in
Governors at Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children Sleaford and North Hykeham and looks set to inherit
and continues to promote Special Educational Needs. Hogg’s healthy majority at the next election.
Having joined the Conservative Party in 1988 and
undergoing two decades of leaflet pushing and hard
graft, Phillips hopes his ‘long apprenticeship’ will
finally pay off. “If I’m elected, I’m determined to pay
back the country and the party which has offered me
so much, by serving everyone in the Constituency as
well as I possibly can”.

“Stephen has the intellect, commitment and passion needed in the


House of Commons. He’ll make an excellent MP.”
Michael Gove MP

CONTACT A: 6 Market Place, Sleaford, E: stephenphillips@snhca.co.uk


Lincolnshire NG34 7SD W: www.stephenphillips.org.uk
T: 01529 419000

16
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Dr Daniel Poulter
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
MAJORITY: 7,786 (16.7%)
INCUMBENT: Sir Michael Lord MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Although not originally from the area, Poulter’s


Seeing off 170 other wannabes, Poulter was fiancée Joanna grew up in mid-Suffolk and went to
selected as candidate for the Conservative safe seat school in Stowmarket. He lived with his fiancée’s
of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich in November parents in Great Finborough during the selection
2009. The selection was however, not without contest, and the couple have now moved to
controversy with the final shortlist of six candidates Framlingham in the constituency. Poulter is working
overlooking local representatives. Poulter was for the NHS in Suffolk as a locum doctor in the run
selected at an open primary attended by 300 up to the General Election.
members of the public.
CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
Educated at Bristol University, and then at Guys, Poulter succeeds Sir Michael Lord, who is standing
Kings and St Thomas’ School of Medicine, Poulter down after 27 years as MP. Conservatives have held
has a degree in Law and is now a practising doctor this area of Suffolk since 1951 and should have no
specialising in obstetrics, gynaecology and women’s difficulty in holding on to it this year. The
health. Prior to his selection as candidate in Central constituency itself stretches from Christchurch Park in
Suffolk and North Ipswich, he was Deputy Leader of Ipswich to the Norfolk border at Hoxne and includes
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and is also a Eye, Framlingham, Debenham, Wickham Market,
former councillor in Hastings. Although he does have Kesgrave, Westfield, Claydon, Great Blakenham and
a background in politics, Poulter only decided to Bramford. It is a largely rural constituency, with the
stand for Parliament late last summer in answer to exception of the northernmost suburbs of Ipswich,
David Cameron’s call for new candidates with a and is made up of smallish villages. Minor boundary
record of public service. He was also short-listed for changes have moved Westgate and the remainder
Beckenham, the seat in which Bob Stewart was of St Margaret’s ward back into the Ipswich
subsequently selected. constituency. The population tends to comprise
of commuters and the retired.
Poulter has helped to set up medical and lifestyle
clinics for the homeless and people with drug and The largest political issues facing the seat are
alcohol misuse problems. He has also served on transport and health. Suffolk is well known for its
healthcare improvement committees including the poor transport links and there is a need to
Surrey and Sussex Patient Experience Task Group regenerate Ipswich town centre. Ipswich Hospital
which sought to improve the quality of care for older finds many of its cancer care and cardiac services
patients in Surrey and Sussex Healthcare. More under threat and plans are afoot to move these
recently he has contributed to a Women’s Health services outside of Suffolk. Poulter will undoubtedly
Task Group promoting best practise in natural use his medical knowledge and expertise to make
childbirth. the case for the retention of these frontline NHS
services at Ipswich Hospital.

“Dan has engaged with all aspects of society and his social
conscience is his strongest asset. His lived experience, determined
personality, along with his legal and medical knowledge would
make him and outstanding MP.”
Mr Shane Duffy (MB BS DTM&H MSC MRCOG), Clinical Director of Maternity Worldwide

CONTACT A: 19 The Business Centre, Earl Soham, E: dan@drdanielpoulter.com


Suffolk IP13 7SA W: www.drdanielpoulter.com
T: 01728 685148 www.centralsuffolk.co.uk

17
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Dominic Raab
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Esher and Walton
MAJORITY: 7,727 (16.14%)
INCUMBENT: Ian Taylor MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND on human rights. This passion has culminated in the


Raab beat off stiff competition at one of the most publication of his first work, ‘The Assault on Liberty –
popular UK open primaries, boasting a crowd of over What Went Wrong with Rights’. Critiquing Labour’s
700 people, to win the candidacy for Esher and approach to human rights and making a case for
Walton. This was Raab said, the “greatest honour” a British Bill of Rights. Raab plans to continue his
of his life, pledging to work hard to make his argument in a second book looking at the
constituents proud of their decision. international approach of the Blair-Brown era,
putting forward new British foreign policy priorities
Born and raised in Buckinghamshire, Raab is another for the 21st century.
of the new PPCs with a background in law – studying
at both Oxford and Cambridge. Raab, a black belt 3rd Incumbent MP, Ian Taylor summed up the mood of
dan in karate, boxed at university and went on to the selection meeting: “Dominic Raab came through
represent the UK on the British Karate Squad. Off the convincingly because he demonstrated greater skill
karate mats, Raab served as the Chief of Staff to in answering the questions, was ready to push back
Shadow Justice Secretary Dominic Grieve QC MP. on some of the moderator's deliberate probes and
A lawyer by trade, Raab began his career as an set out with clarity his convictions. He also showed
international lawyer for Linklaters, working on project a warmth of character which matters a lot in
finance, international litigation and competition law. contests such as these.”
He took secondments with human rights NGO Liberty
in Brussels advising on EU and WTO law. CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
The Esher and Walton constituency sits on the
In 2000, Raab joined the Foreign and Commonwealth London border. It is home to the highest house
Office advising on a wide range of briefs from prices outside the capital and therefore must be
counter-proliferation and counter-terrorism to UK classed as one of the most exclusive (and wealthy)
investor protection and maritime issues. After an of the stockbroker commuter belt. Hampton Court
impressive record with the FCO, heading up a team sits just inside the northern tip of the constituency.
in the Hague bringing war criminals to justice and
advising on the Arab-Israeli conflict and Gibraltar,
Raab took up an appointment as Chief of Staff to the
then Shadow Home Secretary, the Rt Hon David
Davis MP. Adding to his array of expertise in crime,
policing and immigration, Raab continued to work

“Former member of the British Karate squad. He believes that


politics should be conducted in a similar spirit – robust and
competitive on the substance, but respectful in person.”
Jonathan Isaby, Conservative Home

CONTACT A: 3 Bridle Close, Kingston on Thames, E: dominic.raab@esherwalton.com


Surrey KT1 2JW W: www.dominicraab.com
Blog: http://domraab.blogspot.com

18
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

David Rutley
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Macclesfield
MAJORITY: 9,464 (20.6%)
INCUMBENT: Sir Nicholas Winterton MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Portugal in the Euro 2004 soccer championship.


Rutley defeated five opponents at the open primary “Let’s face it, we were robbed,” he said at the time.
held at Fallibroome High School on 17th October to “Sol obviously scored. Well, it was obvious to
succeed Sir Nicholas Winterton as Parliamentary everyone apart from the Swiss referee, who clearly
Candidate for Macclesfield. needs his eyes tested.”
Born in 1961 and educated at Lewes Priory School. In Macclesfield, Rutley’s campaign has focused on
Rutley is an LSE graduate who places great revitalising Macclesfield’s town centre, in particular
importance on the ‘real world experience’ he has using his experience to rejuvenating business.
garnered during his career in business. He has been He has also looked to address the problem of traffic
a senior executive in Asda, PepsiCo and in more congestion in the constituency and to ensuring a good
recent years, Halifax General Insurance and Barclays. local health care provision at Macclesfield Hospital.
Rutley is married to Rachel and is the father of four
children. He is also a practising Mormon. CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
The Macclesfield constituency is situated near
Rutley has an impressive record working as a Special Manchester and is prime commuter territory
Adviser in the last Conservative Government at the although the textile and pharmaceutical industries
Treasury, Cabinet Office and the Ministry of provide some industry in the constituency itself.
Agriculture. During this time Rutley was instrumental The incumbent, Sir Nicholas Winterton became
in shaping the budget and initiated the first ever embroiled in the expenses scandal last year with his
White Paper for Rural England. Not surprisingly then, wife, fellow MP, Lady Ann Winterton. Nevertheless,
Rutley looks set for a junior ministerial role in a there is a great deal of personal local support for
future Cameron Government. Winterton as a hardworking constituency MP, having
served for 38 years, and it will be interesting to see
Not one to miss a PR opportunity, Rutley was how readily his support transfers to Rutley.
instrumental in Asda’s campaign to offer eye tests to Macclesfield has been a Conservative seat since
all Swiss nationals living in the UK – conceiving the 1918 and looks set to remain a Conservative
idea after Swiss referee Urs Meier controversially stronghold in the next parliament.
disallowed a potential game-winning goal by
England’s Sol Campbell in England’s 2-1 defeat to

“I know that David will continue the tradition of being a hard


working constituency MP who will fight for Macclesfield and
the people of Macclesfield.”
Sir Nicholas Winterton MP

CONTACT A: West Bank Road, Macclesfield, E: david.rutley@btinternet.com


Cheshire SK10 3BT W: www.macclesfieldconservatives.com
T: 01625 422848

19
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Julian Smith
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Skipton and Ripon
MAJORITY: 11,596 (23.43%)
INCUMBENT: David Curry MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND He has also advised Shadow Ministers on


Born in 1971 in Stirling, Smith was selected as the apprenticeships and education policy.
Conservative Candidate for Skipton and Ripon in
September 2009 after impressing locals in an open Smith has been actively involved in voluntary and
primary meeting. Many commentators noted that community work, with a particular focus on youth
Smith was selected after working hard to meet unemployment, homelessness and health issues.
residents and local businesses in the run up to the His charitable endeavours include Training for Life,
selection. He beat Fiona Bruce, Greg Hammond and a charity working to tackle enduring unemployment
Fiona Kemp to win the selection. and poverty by securing apprenticeships and practical
training for young people out of work. In a similar
His family roots are in North Yorkshire and County vein Smith works with the Hoxton Apprentice, a social
Durham and having grown up in a rural area this enterprise restaurant that exists to provide training
gave him a natural affinity with his new constituency. opportunities for disadvantaged young people.
He was educated at a local comprehensive before
winning a sport and music bursary for sixth form CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
at Millfield School in Somerset, where he went on to Skipton and Ripon is traditional Yorkshire Dales
be Head Boy. He was a junior international squash territory; small scattered towns with a smattering
player and reached Grade 8 on Violin and Piano of cathedrals and castles. The present constituency
After leaving school, he coached a squash team in was formed in 1983 and has something of a
Perpignan, France, before attending Birmingham liberal tradition.
University where he read English and History.
The incumbent, David Curry MP, is standing down at
Smith is founder and managing director of Arq the next election after 23 years representing the
International, a boutique London based executive Constituency. Curry was investigated by the
recruitment company which undertakes senior level Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards for claims
recruitment for leading financial institutions in the he made for a cottage in Yorkshire. He claimed the
areas of global custody, securities services, cash and property as his second home although the Telegraph
trade. From the humble beginnings of his front room investigation suggested that he had not stayed in the
back in 1999, Smith has grown the organisation, property for four years.
which is now a market leading firm.
His business experience has impressed the
Conservative leadership, resulting in him
co-authoring the Arculus Report, an independent
report on red tape and regulation commissioned by
David Cameron and launched by Ken Clarke in 2009.

“David Curry will be a hard act to follow as our Conservative


Candidate but I am confident that Julian is up to the challenge
and I look forward to working with him.”
Richard Hughes, Chairman of the Skipton and Ripon Conservative Association

CONTACT A: Churchill House, 19 Otley Street, E: juliansmith@skiptonandriponconservatives.com


Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1DY W: www.juliansmithppc.com

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Bob Stewart
CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Beckenham
MAJORITY: 16,913 (40.4%)
INCUMBENT: Jacqui Lait MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Whilst in Bosnia, Stewart became a regular media


In December 2009, Stewart was selected as contributor, earning him the nickname ‘Bosnia Bob’ –
parliamentary candidate for Beckenham, beating off positioning him well to take-up his post-service career
stiff competition from a number of hopefuls including, in public relations. A Senior Consultant for three years,
Tariq Ahmad, Lynne Hack and Jo-Anne Nadler to take Stewart went on to become Managing Director of
the prestigious seat in the second ballot. Worldspace (UK) Ltd. with responsibility for
establishing satellite broadcasting worldwide.
Born into a military family – his mother was a Special
Operations Executive Operative and his father a No stranger to the political world, Stewart’s military
signaller in the RAF Bomber Command during the career has run alongside a sustained interested in the
Second World War. Stewart spent his formative years world of Westminster. In fact Stewart has met and or
in RAF stations throughout the UK and the Middle briefed every prime minister since Ted Heath in the
East. Educated at boarding school, it was on the 1970s. In September 2009, Bob Stewart was profiled
completion of his studies at the age of 17 that he alongside his friend Rory Stewart in The Sunday Times
was selected for officer training at RMA Sandhurst as one of the individuals who had responded to David
and after two years was commissioned into the Cameron’s call for new candidates. With roots in
Cheshire Regiment. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1971, Cheshire, Stewart was also in the running for the
he took a First in International Politics from the Macclesfield and Congleton seats, as well as a finalist
University of Wales and was promoted to Captain in Sleaford and North Hykeham.
in 1975.
CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
During the troubles in Northern Ireland he served as On Rallings and Thrasher’s notional figures,
both Intelligence Officer and, after a promotion to Beckenham is now the safest Conservative seat in the
Major, as Company Commander, with responsibility country, assisted by boundary changes at the election
for controlling and responding to the ‘Droppin Well that are favourable to the Conservatives. It takes in
Bombing’ in Ballykelly. areas including Bromley Common and Keston, and
most of Hayes and Coney – traditional Conservative
In his next posting in Bosnia he served as Lieutenant areas, whilst losing more suburban parts like Penge
Colonel (1987) and became Military Assistant to the and Caytor. The seat has always returned a
highest ranking officer in NATO. Following a further Conservative MP. The incumbent Jacqui Lait is
two more operational tours of Northern Ireland, standing down at the next election having
Stewart became the first British Commander of United represented the seat since the by-election in 1997
Nations Forces in Bosnia. Decorated once again for forced by the departure of Piers Merchant MP.
his service, he received the Distinguished Service
Order in 1993, followed by a promotion to Colonel
and finally an appointment to Chief of Policy at the
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers of Europe.

“With his distinguished military background and


proven leadership skills, Bob is just the sort of person
we need in Parliament.”
Commander John Muxworthy RN, Chief Executive Officer of the UKNDA

CONTACT A: 31 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, E: bobstewart22@blueyonder.co.uk


Kent BR3 4PR W: www.beckenhamconservatives.com

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Rory Stewart OBE


CANDIDATE: Conservative PPC for Penrith and The Border
MAJORITY: 10,797 (25.58%)
INCUMBENT: David Maclean MP (Conservative)

BACKGROUND Stewart has called for a greater emphasis on


Described as a modern day Lawrence of Arabia, listening to people’s concerns and wishes in
Stewart was born in Hong Kong and spent his Government policy at home and abroad through his
childhood living between Asia and the Scottish two bestselling books, his BBC TV documentaries
Highlands. Following in his father’s footsteps, and his teaching as a professor of public policy at
Stewart served briefly in the Black Watch and then Harvard University. He was awarded an OBE in
joined the Diplomatic service, serving in a number of 2004 for his service in Iraq.
places including Iraq as Deputy Governor of Maysan
province. Stewart’s transition to British politics is a After the long-serving Conservative MP David
continuation of a varied and interesting career that Maclean announced his retirement for health
reflects his strong commitment to public service. reasons, Stewart was selected as the Conservative
Candidate for Penrith and the Border in 2009
He currently lives in a farm cottage at Appleby, in his through an open primary. At his selection in October
prospective constituency of Penrith and the Border. at the Penrith Auction Mart, Stewart said “Thank you
He has spent the last two months walking over for changing my life. I’m unbelievably happy. This
280 miles to visit every village in the constituency, has been a life changing experience”.
staying in a different Cumbrian home every night.
CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
This type of adventure is nothing new to Stewart, Penrith and The Border is the largest constituency in
however. Between 2000 and 2002 Stewart’s love England in terms of acreage. With an electorate of
of walking and interest in realities of life in the around 67,000, it is also one of the most sparsely
countries where he had worked as a diplomat led populated. Completely encircling the seat of Carlisle
him to walk 6000 miles alone across Asia and and stretching from just short of Gretna Green in the
stayed in more than five hundred village homes. north to the Yorkshire Dales in the south. The
This experience inspired him to set up the Turquoise constituency itself has been a Conservative strong
Mountain Foundation, which has raised £15 million hold for more than 50 years and thanks to favourable
pounds and restored the centre of the old city of boundary changes, look set to see a Conservative
Kabul, bringing in essential services, training majority of more than 10,000.
craftspeople, creating a primary school and a
healthcare clinic and supporting small businesses.

“Everything I know about Rory suggests he would not just respect,


but love, his constituency and his constituency work.”
Matthew Parris, Times Columnist

CONTACT A: 31 Chiswick Street, Carlisle, E: rory@rorystewart.co.uk


Cumbria CA1 1HJ W: www.rorystewart.co.uk
T: 01228 521573

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Skipping a generation:
Labour’s PPCs
Andrew Hobson
Associate Director, Insight Public Affairs

With 91 Labour MPs so far announcing their retirement at the forthcoming election, regional
officials and CLP officers have been kept busy with selection contests. The recent round has thrown
up a number of interesting, exciting, and at time surprising results. Perhaps the most striking
feature of the selections is the number of under-30s being chosen to represent the Party in its most
winnable seats.
With so many young, talented and ambitious candidates being selected, it is hard to escape the impression that
the party is looking to skip a generation as it seeks to refresh itself after thirteen years in power. Youth, it seems,
is being seen as proxy for change, a clear signal to voters that the candidate is part of a ‘new breed’ – untainted
by the failings of predecessors.
But these bright young things are far from political novices. As the profiles featured in this guide indicate, they
already have an impressive array of political experience to call upon and it is clear that all have displayed the
qualities required to make a significant impact on the future of British politics. Reviewing their respective CVs,
these candidates certainly have drive, ambition and talent to spare.
The youngest, Bridget Phillipson in Houghton and Sunderland South has been involved with her local party for
many years, and has impressed many with her mature and professional approach to her candidacy. She will be
26 years old on Election Day, and a good bet to ‘Baby of the House’ in the next Parliament.
Anas Sarwar, 28, has been a prominent local figure since his teenage years and can call on experience gained
as an NHS Dentist in Glasgow. He has won The Sun’s “Best New Scottish Politician” award in 2009 and is set
to be fast-tracked to the Labour front benches.
Emilie Oldknow, 29, and John Woodcock, 31, both have years of experience working for the Labour Party under
their belts, and played key roles for the party in the 2005 election. Indeed, Woodcock has spent the last five
years at the centre of Government as a Special Adviser to John Hutton, before making the switch to become
one of Gordon Brown’s advisors at Number 10.
Lisa Nandy, the hugely ambitious 30 year old Senior Policy advisor at the Children’s Society and Shabana
Mahmood, the 29 year old Barrister hoping to win Clare Short’s Birmingham Ladywood seat, are also sure to
have a significant impact on the future direction of the Labour Party.
There are a number of candidates with experience to step straight into front bench duties. Kate Green, 49,
has years of experience running charities and advising ministers and Chi Onuwarah the 44 year old senior
engineer looking to win Newcastle Central has a wealth of experience as one of the UK’s leading
telecoms experts.
All of these individuals have time on their side, and while it may take a couple of years before they begin to
make themselves known on the national stage, these are future leaders of the Party who will be needed to
take the fight to the Conservatives in years to come. If the polls are to be believed, then the Labour Party will
have a reduced Parliamentary presence after the next elections. The good news for the party is that it is
already sowing the seeds for its future regeneration.

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Kate Green OBE


CANDIDATE: Labour PPC for Stretford and Urmston
MAJORITY: 8,181 (21%)
INCUMBENT: Rt Hon Beverley Hughes MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND She has been Chair of the London Child Poverty


Green stepped down as Chief Executive of Child Commission which reports to the Mayor of London
Poverty Action Group in January 2010 to contest the and London Councils on strategies for reducing the
Stretford and Urmston Parliamentary seat for Labour exceptionally high levels of child poverty in the capital;
at the next election. She is well known to Beverley a trustee of Friends Provident Foundation, End Child
Hughes, the current MP for the outer Manchester Poverty, and the Institute for Fiscal Studies; and a
constituency, who worked closely with Green when member of the advisory board of the Resolution
she was Minister in the Department for Children, Foundation which is concerned with access to
Schools and Families. financial services. Green was a Magistrate in London
for 16 years and received an OBE in the 2005
Originally from Scotland, Green will be one of the most New Year’s Honours list.
experienced of the new faces likely to enter Parliament
this year. Many commentators have pointed to her She has earned the respect of many Cabinet Ministers
leadership strengths, as someone who has spent many already, and with her pragmatic, mainstream
years running third sector organisations. approach Green can expect a fast route from the
backbenches to the front bench, bringing valuable,
Her position as Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action considered experience and perspective to future
Group from July 2004 often meant her publicly legislation on child poverty and social justice.
criticising the Government as one of the leading
campaigners for the abolition of child poverty. However, CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
she gained the respect of Gordon Brown and other Beverley Hughes’ majority was reduced at the 2005
senior Ministers for her unswerving commitment to general election but she still polled over 50 per cent of
equality and social justice. From July 2000, she was the vote and with a majority over 8,000 this should be a
Director of the National Council for One Parent Families, safe Labour seat. The constituency is relatively new in its
and previously she worked for the Home Office and present form, contested for the first time in 1997, but
before that for Barclays Bank. Given her expertise, Green based on boundaries from the 1960s when the
is likely to seek a place on the Children, Schools and constituency was safe Conservative territory. It was
Families Select Committee or Work and Pensions Select created from the former constituencies of Stretford and
Committee following the election. Davyhulme. The former being more inclined to the
Labour Party, and the latter by the Conservatives.
This will be the second time that the 49-year-old
divorcee has contested a General Election, having Stretford and Urmston still has a large industrial
finished in second place to Peter Brooke in the Cities of areas, a mix of affluent areas to the south, and
London and Westminster constituency in Labour’s disadvantaged areas like Carrington to the North.
landslide in 1997. The constituency includes the Old Trafford cricket
and football grounds.

“She has shown a whole lifetime of working to challenge inequality


and for improving the position of the poorest in our society,
particularly children. She is outstandingly committed to families
and in day-to-day touch with the challenges ordinary people face.”
Rt Hon Beverley Hughes MP

CONTACT A: The Morris Hall, 9 Atkinson Road, E: kate@stretfordurmstonlabour.org.uk


Urmston, Manchester M41 9AD W: www.kategreen.org
T: 0161 748 8580

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Lilian Greenwood
CANDIDATE: Labour PPC for Nottingham South
MAJORITY: 6,665 (19.2%)
INCUMBENT: Alan Simpson MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND public sector pensions and an increase in health


Trade Unionist, Greenwood, on the ‘soft left’ of the service funding. She opposed the Iraq War because
party, won a shock victory over left wing National of the lack of a UN mandate and says she would
Executive Committee Member, Christina Shawcroft argue strongly in the party against the replacement
by 23 votes for the right to replace, Alan Simpson of Trident. She has also been critical of the use of
MP. Local Councillor, and one time front-runner for Private Finance Initiatives citing concerns that it
the seat, Katrina Bull finished third. represents a fundamental shift in who owns
valuable public assets.
Greenwood, a member of the Compass group,
started her career in labour market research for the Born and brought up in Bolton, Greenwood has
Local Government Employers organisation before retained her Lancashire accent despite having lived
becoming a research officer for the Civil and Public in and around Nottingham for many years. She
Service Association and subsequently a branch studied Economics and Social and Political Sciences
officer for the GMB. Since 1992, she has worked at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and also has
in Nottingham for the public sector trade union, an MSc in Sociology and Social Policy. She recently
UNISON, where she is currently Regional Head of married her partner Ravi, and she has three
Campaigns and Policy. daughters who were all born at the City Hospital
and attend local schools.
Greenwood is set to become a loyal, but
questioning, addition to the Parliamentary Labour CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
Party. She has said she would be prepared to vote The seat ranges from the council estates of Clifton,
against the party whip if she felt it absolutely to the student population of Lenton and the diverse
necessary and was confident that she had the and well-off city centre. Labour has held Nottingham
support of her local party and constituents. She citied South since 1992 and the core working class vote
the introduction of differential university top-up fees in the area should see the seat remain secure. That
of one issue on which she would have rebelled. said, this is the closest that the Conservatives will
get to winning a seat in this Labour stronghold of
However, she will not be making a habit of rebelling a city, and new boundary changes are likely to work
and has said, “in order to influence policy and against Labour with part of the traditionally loyal
decision-making it is necessary to build credibility in Basford ward going to Nottingham North. Parts of
the party. I don’t feel that I would be able to get the St Ann’s and Arboretum ward will now also move
best deal for the people of Nottingham South as a to Nottingham East.
serial rebel.”
She is an experienced advocate and organiser who
has campaigned at a local and national level, on
women’s rights and anti-racism as well as improved

“The next election will be a big choice. Labour offers positive


change for the majority. The Tories’ proposals will benefit the
privileged few.”
Lillian Greenwood

CONTACT A: Unit 13a, John Folman Business Centre, E: liliangreenwood@googlemail.com


Hungerhill Road, Nottingham NG3 4NB W: liliangreenwood.blogspot.com
T: 0115 924 5406

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Liz Kendall
CANDIDATE: Labour PPC for Leicester West
MAJORITY: 8,539 (26.42%)
INCUMBENT: Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND She joined Hewitt as Special Adviser at the


One of a clutch of one-time Special Advisers to win Department of Trade and Industry and stayed with
selection for their former bosses’ seats, Kendall her when she was reshuffled in 2005 to the
secured her selection after Patricia Hewitt announced Department of Health.
her intention to stand down after 13 years in
Parliament. Kendall’s Parliamentary ambitions go as far back as
2000, when she was one of the favourites to win
Originally from Watford where her father was a local the Chesterfield seat made available by Tony Benn’s
councillor, Cambridge history graduate Kendall was retirement. She came second, which was just as well
part of the original batch of bright young things as the seat was clinched by the Lib Dems at the
appointed as political advisors following Labour’s subsequent election. She has bided her time,
victory in 1997. She joined the party at the age of however, and is expected to be a key figure for the
20 when she “woke up the morning after the 92 Labour Party in the next Parliament.
election feeling incredibly angry and frustrated that
the Tories had won again”. She was just 26 when Following her selection the 38-year-old left her role as
she began working with Labour ‘fixer’ John Director of the Ambulance Services Network, part of
McTernan in the team supporting Harriet Harman the NHS Confederation, which was set up to provide
during her stint as Secretary of State for Social an independent voice for UK ambulance services.
Security between 1997 and 1998.
CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
After Harman’s sacking in 1998, Kendall left This is the least ethnically mixed of the three
Government to build a reputation as an important Leicester seats with 19% of residents from ethnic
influencer on Labour’s health policy. She spent time minorities. The seat has been Labour since the
at health think tank, the King’s Fund, before 1920s with the constituency represented by Greville
becoming lead researcher on health and social care (now Lord) Janner for 25 years, and before that by
at the Institute for Public Policy Research where she his father Barnett. Boundary changes see the seat
became known as a strong advocate of the lose Latimer ward a polling district from Leicester
patient-centred care agenda. She left the IPPR to East, something that is likely to reduce the Labour
become Director of the Maternity Alliance, the vote although not dramatically. Barring a dramatic
national charity for pregnant women, new parents national collapse, the seat is likely to remain solid
and babies under one. Labour territory at the next General Election.

It was always clear that Kendall sought a return to


the cut and thrust of front line politics, and it was
not long before Kendall returned to Government.

“The members in Leicester West had some excellent candidates


to choose from and I am delighted that they have chosen Liz
to represent them and build on the work that Patricia has done
over the last 13 years.”
Neil Clayton, Chair, Leicester West CLP

CONTACT A: Ground Front Floor, 5 Frog Island, E: leicesterwest@yahoo.co.uk


Leicester LE3 5AS W: www.lizkendall.org
T: 0116 253 7374

26
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Shabana Mahmood
CANDIDATE: Labour PPC for Birmingham Ladywood
MAJORITY: 6,804 (23.23%)
INCUMBENT: Clare Short MP (Independent)

BACKGROUND CONSTITUENCY PROFILE


The woman hoping to succeed Clare Short has had Birmingham Ladywood represents a challenging
to work hard to break out from the shadow of her constituency as this inner city patch has substantial
famous predecessor. Mahmood has barely started areas of deprivation and poverty. This is one of
her political career and already she has come Birmingham’s two seats where ethnic minorities
through a difficult selection contest with, as the make up the majority of the population and
29-year-old daughter of a local Labour Party officer, unemployment is exceptionally high. In recent years,
allegations of nepotism as well as criticism from the constituency has had a number of problems
those opposed to the women only shortlist. with gun crime, anti social behaviour and drug
abuse but more generally it faces a distinct housing
Mahmood polled 118 votes to Yvonne Mosquito’s shortage and regeneration will remain a top priority
99 votes, despite Mosquito’s twelve years as Labour for the area.
Councillor for Nechells. The other two hopefuls were
Penny Barber and Sandra Samuels. This seat will remain in Labour hands and Mahmood
looks set to do well here. A dynamic young MP is
The Oxford educated former Berrymans Lace Mawer just what this seat needs!
employed barrister, is one of the estimated 10 per
cent of the likely new intake with a background in
law. Born and raised in Small Heath she went to
school in the Ladywood constituency, and is keen to
demonstrate that she will be an independent and
passionate voice for the area.
From the outset she has set out her stall as a fervent
opponent of the Iraq War and the 42 day detention
of terror suspects. She says “I am a Labour Party
member and share 99.9 per cent of the party’s aims
and policies. But there are issues such as the Iraq
War and 42 days over which I disagree with the
party line.”
Mahmood, is a twin and one of four children born to
Pakistani immigrants. She studied law at Lincoln
College, Oxford, where she was elected president of
the JCR. Her father Mahmood Ahmed, a civil engineer,
is the chairman of the Birmingham Labour Party.

“It is clear the barrister is anything but a party automaton and from
the outset has set out her stall as a passionate opponent of the
Iraq War and the 42 day detention of terror suspects.”
Neil Elkes, Birmingham News

CONTACT A: 31 Statham Drive, E: sm@shabanamahmood.co.uk


Birmingham B16 0TF W: www.shabanamahmood.co.uk
T: 07772 129543

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Lisa Nandy
CANDIDATE: Labour PPC for Wigan
MAJORITY: 15,501 (39.15%)
INCUMBENT: Neil Turner MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND Her politics are firmly based on her belief in the


Well liked and well connected, independent minded importance of communities and an interest in finding
northerner Lisa Nandy has won admiration from ways of improving services available to local people.
across the political spectrum for her willingness to She is a school governor, a director of her local theatre
stand up for the causes she is passionate about, even and trustee of a charity that provides free legal advice
if it sometimes sets her against her own party to people who cannot afford to pay lawyers fees.
leadership. With a reputation as a tireless campaigner
in her role as senior policy advisor at the Children’s Nandy is a frequent, and forceful, witness at
Society, she made a name for herself holding Parliamentary Select Committee inquiries and advises
Ministers to account over a range of issues affecting Government on strategy, including child poverty and
children particularly those who have grown up in employment conditions. She is a regular media
poverty or have been abused or ill treated. performer and a spokesperson for the Children’s
Society, appearing on programmes such as Channel 4
She won an impressive victory in the Wigan News and Radio 4’s the Today Programme.
selection, her first attempt to become a
parliamentary candidate, beating former Labour With her confidence in front of the media, expertise
Minister, Barbara Roche, and Hackney Councillor, on a range of policy issues and a stubborn approach
Nargis Khan. She had emerged as favourite after a to winning people around to her way of thinking,
"head and shoulders best" performance at an earlier Nandy will quickly become established as a familiar
selection meeting, according to Labour sources. and popular face on the Labour benches.
Nandy grew up in Manchester in the 1980s, and CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
later in Bury where her family still live. She studied at The constituency does not just include the town of
Newcastle University before working as a housing Wigan itself rather it is made up of villages such as
case worker for left wing Walthamstow MP, Neil
Crooke, Standish and Haigh and is largely rural. Whilst
Gerrard. Her knowledge and tenacity as an expert
campaigner on housing issues led to a two year stint Wigan does not represent the ‘chattering classes of
at homelessness charity Centrepoint. metropolitan New Labour’ neither does it share the
same cosmopolitan atmosphere as other areas of
Very much on the ‘soft left’ of the party, Nandy’s Greater Manchester as, for example, ethnic minorities
pragmatic approach to politics has been influenced by only account for a small percent of the population.
her experiences working in the community she serves
as Councillor on Conservative run Hammersmith and The key issues in this seat are a lack of primary and
Fulham Council. As the Labour Shadow Cabinet secondary school education and as coalmining was
Member for Housing and Regeneration, she has used formerly a local industry, the health legacies still remain.
her campaigning skills to good effect fighting hard This is one the safest seats for Labour and with Nandy’s
against plans to demolish council homes in her ward. strong credentials, she will certainly be one to watch.

“Lisa has played a pivotal role in the children’s charity sector. She combines
passion and a determination to succeed with awareness of the way
Whitehall and Westminster functions and she gets things done.”
Martin Narey, Chief Executive, Barnardo’s

CONTACT E: lisanandy2010@gmail.com

28
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Emilie Oldknow
CANDIDATE: Labour PPC for Sherwood
MAJORITY: 6,869 (15.9%)
INCUMBENT: Paddy Tipping MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND She is active in community life and likes to keep fit,


Oldknow, Labour’s Regional Director for the East regularly playing netball once a week in the
Midlands, was selected as the candidate to fight the constituency. Her supporters say she is a likeable
seat made available after Paddy Tipping’s decision to personality with her feet on the ground.
stand down.
Issues associated with coal mining feature heavily in
Local, young (29 years old), and with a deserved parts of Sherwood indeed there is still a working
reputation as an effective campaigner, much was colliery at Thoresby in the constituency. Supporting
made of her connections through boyfriend Jonathan clean coal, fighting for retired miners and coalfield
Ashworth, Gordon Brown’s Deputy Political regeneration featured in Oldknow’s selection
Secretary, who opponents claimed had helped campaign and are all issues she has promised take
parachute Oldknow into the Sherwood seat. up if elected to Parliament.
Certainly, the selection and decision to run an all Oldknow went to university in Newcastle returning
women shortlist in the constituency created some to the area to work for the NHS in Rainworth before
controversy but Oldknow’s local credentials – she taking up a job with the East Midlands Labour
was born, brought up and educated in the Party. In 2005 she masterminded Vernon Coaker’s
Sherwood constituency – helped see her through a re-election in nearby Gedling, she will be hoping to
bitter selection process which she won by 130 votes repeat the same campaigning success in Sherwood.
to 21. However, Oldknow’s supporters said the
allegation was unfair. As one member said “Emilie CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
worked her socks off to win the selection – she won The constituency is a former mining area, devastated
because she convinced members she was the best by the pit closures of the 1980s. However, the seat
candidate, that’s why members overwhelmingly surprisingly went Conservative when it was first
backed her in a democratic vote, it’s as simple contested in 1983. These days it is a fairly safe
as that.” Labour area, with Paddy Tipping winning a solid
6,652 majority at the last election. Boundary
As a member of the GMB, she received the support changes could make the seat slightly more
of all the trade unions in the Sherwood Labour Party. vulnerable with the loss of part of the Calverton
She is also a member of the Co-operative Party. ward, which traditionally leans heavily to Labour,
however strong government investment in the area’s
Both Oldknow’s parents were teachers who taught economy, and Paddy Tipping’s record as a popular
in Sherwood schools and education has always been constituency MP should ensure the constituency
one of her passions. She is a school governor and remains a relatively safe prospect for the party.
has lived in the constituency the majority of her life.

“Emilie is a formidable campaigner, born and bred in the


Sherwood area. She’s got her feet on the ground. She is a fighter
for social justice and fairness – I know she will have at impact
at Westminster and will be a superb MP.”
Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP

CONTACT A: 39 Swinton Rise, Ravenshead, E: emilie@emilie4sherwood.com


Nottingham NG15 9FS W: www.emilie4sherwood.com
T: 07784 485 880

29
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Chi Onwurah
CANDIDATE: Labour PPC for Newcastle Central
MAJORITY: 7,509 (23.07%)
INCUMBENT: Jim Cousins MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND Seen as measured and thoughtful in her approach,


Labour party members in the Newcastle Central Onwurah’s wide ranging background in business
constituency selected Onwurah, a Senior Engineer and engineering means that she is set to bring
and telecoms expert as successor to long-serving valuable practical experience to the Labour benches,
Labour MP Jim Cousins who announced his intention and a global perspective to economic issues.
to retire after 22 years in Parliament.
She has been a member of the Labour Party since
Onwurah, aged 44, was born in Wallsend, just 1981, and in a closely contested selection process
outside Newcastle upon Tyne, and attended Kenton beat off a strong local field to win with a 65:55 vote
Comprehensive School in the constituency, where in the third round.
she was elected as ‘MP’ in the school’s mock
elections. She is currently Head of International CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
Technology Strategy at Ofcom where she focuses Boundary changes mean the constituency has
on the economic costs and benefits of super-fast acquired predominantly Labour wards from what
broadband. was Tyne Bridge and lost predominantly Lib Dem
wards to Newcastle East and Newcastle North,
Prior to Ofcom, she was a Partner at Hammatan making it the ‘safest’ seat in Newcastle on paper.
Ventures, a US technology consultancy, developing Some wards remain Liberal Democrat strongholds
emerging markets in Nigeria and South Africa. and their position was further strengthened in the
Previously she was Director of Market Development 2008 local elections. There has also been significant
with Teligent in the US and before that Director BNP activity in three wards. Geographically, the seat
of Product Strategy at Global Telesystems in the covers Newcastle city centre Newcastle University,
UK. She has also worked for telecoms firms Cable the Town Moor, St James Park, home to Newcastle
& Wireless and Nortel in the UK and France. United, and surrounding residential areas.
Onwurah is a Chartered Engineer with a BEng in
Electrical Engineering from Imperial College and an
MBA from Manchester Business School. She carried
out groundbreaking work bringing wireless
communication into Africa and was for many years
on the National Executive of Anti Apartheid and
ACTSA (Action for Southern Africa). She is currently
on the Board of the Open University Business School.

“Chi Onwurah is an engineer in the great Northern tradition.


Her business and technology experience will benefit the
region and the party.”
Rt Hon Hilary Armstrong MP

CONTACT A: Chi Onwurah, FREEPOST, E: chi@chi4central.com


Newcastle Labour W: www.chi4central.com
T: 07551 577 672 Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChiOnwurah

30
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Bridget Phillipson
CANDIDATE: Labour PPC for Houghton and Sunderland South
MAJORITY: 16,986 (45.78%)
INCUMBENT: Fraser Kemp MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND Phillipson was chair of the Labour Club at Oxford


If elected as MP for Houghton and Sunderland University, where she studied history. Graduating in
South, 26 year old Phillipson is a strong contender to 2005 she moved back to the North East to work for
become Baby of the House in the new Parliament, Sunderland City Council. Phillipson has also
representing a brand new constituency, an represented the region on the Labour Party’s National
amalgamation of Sunderland South and Houghton Policy Forum. In 2009 she married Lawrence Dimery,
and Washington East. who works in the financial services industry.
Phillipson, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, beat CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
off a stiff challenge from former Minister Barbara Both the seats which created the new constituency,
Roche in this very closely contested selection. This Chris Mullin’s Sunderland South and Fraser Kemp’s
was her second attempt to win a Labour nomination Houghton and Washington East, were Labour
in the North East having previously narrowly failed to strongholds and Houghton and Sunderland South is
beat Sharon Hodgson to the Washington and firm Labour territory. The area, formerly famed for its
Sunderland West seat. heavy industry, has undergone dramatic social and
economic changes in the recent past and is now
A local party stalwart, and daughter of local party reliant on the service industry for much of its
doyen, Clare Phillipson, one party member reminded employment.
those at the selection meeting that Phillipson used to
play under the table at CLP meetings. Over the years
she has succeeded in building up a very strong base
of support locally.
Currently managing a women’s refuge for local
charity Wearside Women in Need, she has been
described as bright, down to earth and extremely
hard-working. She won plaudits for her fresh
thinking, and pragmatic approach to politics,
impressing local activist and party figures by setting
out ideas on issues including council housing, local
transport, changing the welfare system and support
for ex-servicemen.

“I’m sure that she will make an excellent candidate and, when
elected, she will be a very hard-working Member of Parliament.”
Fraser Kemp MP

CONTACT A: West View, North Road, E: bridget_phillipson@hotmail.com


Hetton le Hole DH5 9JU W: www.bridgetphillipson.co.uk

31
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Anas Sarwar
CANDIDATE: Labour PPC for Glasgow Central
MAJORITY: 8,531 (30.4%)
INCUMBENT: Mohammed Sarwar MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND He insists that he is his own man, not encumbered


One of the highest profile of Labour’s next generation, by his father’s legacy or by community politics.
Sarwar is son of Mohammad Sarwar, the UK’s first He positions himself as a moderniser, on the moderate
Muslim Member of Parliament. Carrying one of the left of the party. He supports private finance in building
most well known political names in Scottish politics new schools and hospitals, and is generally positive
into the election has mixed blessings. His father has about the state of NHS dentistry under Labour.
had a roller-coaster political career marred by internal
feuding and his suspension from the party over Following the 7/7 attacks in London, Sarwar set up
vote-rigging allegations. Sarwar senior was cleared in the Scottish Muslim Network, a voluntary
court and returned to the party, most recently chairing organisation aimed at engaging with young Muslims
the Scottish Affairs Select Committee. and encouraging them to participate in community
affairs. He is also the founder and co-ordinator of
Dealing with the fallout of his father’s troubles, Y-Vote, a political platform for young people which
Sarwar junior says, has equipped him with a uses a mix of music and political education to engage
protective armour capable of deflecting any crisis young people into the political process. He won The
that politics might send his way. Charming, slick and Sun’s “Best New Scottish Politician” award in 2009.
self-assured (he once joked “people say politics is
show business for the ugly, but I reckon I prove that CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
theory wrong”). The father of one is an NHS dentist The 2005 boundary review pruned the 10
who Labour insiders believe will be a star of the next Glaswegian seats to seven. The new constituency
generation. Commentators already talk of ministerial contains wards from five of the previous Glasgow
posts in a future Labour Government. He was placed seats, the bulk formed by combing the central wards
top of Labour’s list for Glasgow in the Scottish of the old Govan, Kelvin and Shettleston seats. The
Parliament elections and introduced Gordon Brown economic renewal of Glasgow has resulted in rapidly
at the Scottish Labour Conference in 2008. rising property prices and some gentrification in the
constituency, especially in the areas closest to the city
At 28, the youngest of four brothers and sisters, he centre and Glasgow Green. However, much of the
will contest his father's seat of Glasgow Central for seat remains severely deprived. North of the Clyde
Labour at the next general election. it is nominally the Calton area suffers severe deprivation with major
safe Labour. His father has an 8,500-vote majority, problems of unemployment, crime, drug abuse and
and he won 70% support from constituency prostitution. Life expectancy here is in the low 50s.
members at the selection.
The constituency is ethnically diverse, with the
Sarwar was privately educated at Hutcheson Pakistani community making up the constituency’s
Grammar school but has been involved with the largest minority group. In fact the seat has the
Labour party since childhood and has an impressive largest Pakistani community of any Scottish seat.
experience of politics and campaigning already.

“Scotland and the Labour party need more young men like him.”
The Daily Record

CONTACT A: Transport House, 290 Bath Street, E: anas@sarwar4glasgow.com


Glasgow G2 4LD W: www.sarwar4glasgow.com
T: 07527 291 898

32
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

John Woodcock
CANDIDATE: Labour PPC for Barrow and Furness
NOTIONAL MAJORITY: 4,836 (12.5%)
INCUMBENT: Rt Hon John Hutton MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND broaden its press operation in autumn 2008.


Former political spokesman to Prime Minister He subsequently moved to a backroom, strategic role
Gordon Brown, John Woodcock got to know Barrow before leaving Number Ten and moving to Barrow
while working for as Special Adviser to Rt Hon John with his young family to concentrate on campaigning
Hutton MP, whose decision to stand down took full time to win the seat.
many by surprise.
Woodcock is one of a number of young Labour
Married to former NUS President, Mandy Telford, candidates being jointly sponsored by the
Woodcock is a 31-year-old father of one and is well Co-operative Party, whose commitment to increasing
respected for his keen intellect, drive and personable mutualism as an alternative to private sector
and modest style. He started out his professional provision is rising up the Labour modernisers’
career as a journalist, but says “I decided I could agenda in response to the global financial collapse.
make more of a difference by fighting for something
I really believed in which is why I went to work for CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
the Labour party and helped in the re-election of a Barrow itself is best know as a shipbuilding centre,
Labour government”. relying heavily on submarine building, which makes
the future of the Trident programme a significant
After serving in head office during the 2005 election local issue. However the seat also takes in a large
campaign, the Sheffield-born former Labour Student rural population and the small Lake District town of
activist was appointed Special Adviser to John Ulverston. Boundary changes in the constituency are
Hutton. During this time, Hutton served as Chancellor fairly minor; however two new Conservative held
of the Duchy of Lancaster, Minister for the Cabinet wards, Broughton and Crake Valley, have been
Office (2005), Secretary of State for Work & Pensions moved into the constituency, which may help to tip
(2005-2007) and Secretary of State for Business, the balance in favour of the Conservatives.
Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (2007-2008).
Rated by senior Blairites from his days as a policy
and media adviser to arch-moderniser Mr Hutton,
Woodcock became a loyal part of Gordon Brown’s
Downing Street team after being recruited to

“I’ve known John for a long time and he will be an asset to a


Labour government, one of our new stars. John can climb high as
long as he keeps his feet on the ground in Barrow and Furness.”
Rt Hon Lord Mandelson

CONTACT A: 22 Hartington St, Barrow-in-Furness, E: john@johnwoodcock.org


Cumbria LA14 5SL W: johnwoodcock.org
T: 01229 820 025 Twitter: www.twitter.com/JohnWoodcockLab

33
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

And finally...
Olly Kendall
Account Director, Insight Public Affairs

Insight has now profiled over 60 candidates who are likely to become
MPs after the election. But what about those parliamentary candidates
who are not shoo-ins: the long-shots who might just squeeze in under
the right circumstances? Or those who are likely to impact British
politics, whether or not they win in May? Or those who – quite simply –
we just haven’t got around to covering? Well here are a few more
candidates who we think it’s worth keeping an eye on.
FRED MACKINTOSH – HIS TO LOSE
First up, the Lib Dem Candidate in Edinburgh South. Following the announcement by Labour’s
Nigel Griffiths to stand down in early February 2010, the Lib Dems have a great shot at taking this
seat from Labour. Expense and personal scandal had already engulfed Griffiths – and now with
his departure it gives his Labour successor just a few weeks to establish themselves before an
election. No mean feat. With three years under his belt working the seat, the barrister and
highly-regarded campaigner should win – and could expect to play a role in Nick Clegg’s shadow
cabinet in the next parliament.
STEPHEN PARKINSON – ONE FOR THE FUTURE
The Conservatives established the ‘City Seat Initiative’ – a scheme that has seen a cluster of
hopefuls working several seats in a particular urban area. Candidates were recently assigned a
particular seat to fight. One such candidate was Stephen Parkinson – the PPC in Newcastle Upon
Tyne North. A high-flyer from a comprehensive background who went on to study at Cambridge,
who published his first book at the age of just 26 and has already been Director of Research at
the Centre for Policy Studies, Parkinson is sure to make his impact on politics over the next decade.
Starting in a distant third in this seat, defeat is all but assured, but having previously spent two
years briefing Michael Howard and David Cameron at CCO, a job offer from a new Conservative
Government beckons – and in all likelihood, selection for a more winnable parliamentary seat at
the next election but one.
RICHARD BURT – A HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM?
Not many Lib Dem PPCs will overturn a 3,500 plus Conservative majority at the next election. But
Richard Burt, husband of Lib Dem MP Lorely Burt, has a chance. Standing in Worcestershire West
where incumbent MP Michael Spicer faced heavy criticism over dubious expense claims, Burt now
takes on Spicer’s successor – Conservative PPC Harriet Baldwin. The combination of the expenses
scandal, the absence of any ‘personal vote’ for an incumbent and a new Conservative candidate
whose profession is, gasp, investment banking has to make overturning the 3,500 majority a
possibility. His wife was an unexpected winner in 2005, will it be the husband’s turn this time?

34
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Sal Brinton
CANDIDATE: Liberal Democrat PPC for Watford
MAJORITY: 1,151 (2.33% swing)
SWING REQUIRED: 1.17%
INCUMBENT: Claire Ward MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND Brinton has also worked as a venture capitalist,


Educated at Benenden and Cambridge University, investing in high-tech companies, and in the
the company director and Bursar of Selwyn College construction industry – a million miles from where
Cambridge is the favourite to overturn Labour’s she began her career – at the BBC in the 1970s as a
1,100 majority in Watford. floor manager working on programmes including as
Doctor Who, Grandstand and Playschool.
Brinton lives in Watford, and stood in 2005 when
she increased the Liberal Democrat vote by 7,339 CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
votes (a 13.8% swing) pushing the Conservatives The Watford Parliamentary Constituency covers all
into third place. She contested Cambridgeshire South of the Watford Borough Council area and a part of
East in 1997 and 2001, and was a Cambridgeshire Three Rivers District Council. The Liberal Democrats
County Councillor between 1993 and 2004. currently control both Watford Borough Council
and Three Rivers District Council with substantial
If elected she will brings a wide and varied range majorities.
of expertise to the backbenches. Currently Director
of the Association of the Universities in the East of In 2002, Dorothy Thornhill was elected as the first
England, she is a former recipient of the East Anglian directly elected Mayor of Watford, and re-elected
Entrepreneurial Businesswoman of the Year and a in 2006 with over 50% of the vote. At the 2005
Trustee of Christian Blind Mission which is the largest General Election, Brinton came within 1,100 of
non-governmental disability charity working in the unseating the Claire Ward and becoming MP for
developing world. Watford. With the Liberal Democrats having more
Councillors than Labour and the Conservatives
Brinton has served as Vice-Chair on the Liberal combined across the area, Brinton will be the clear
Democrat Federal Policy Committee and was also challenger to Labour in Watford this May.
a member of the Federal Conference Committee. Her
policy interests lie in the education sphere – she was
a member of the Party's national working group.
She has also served on the Board of the East of
England Development Agency from 1998 to 2004,
serving as Deputy Chair from 2001 to 2004. In
2003, she was awarded an honorary PhD for her
contribution to education, skills and learning by
Anglia Polytechnic University. She is currently a
director of the University for Industry (LearnDirect).

“Sal Brinton is an outstanding local candidate and exactly


what Watford needs for a MP. She is a woman of principle
who makes things happen.”
Chris Huhne MP

CONTACT A: 128 Langley Road, Watford WD17 4RR E: sal@watfordlibdems.org.uk


T: 07768 821 187 W: www.watfordlibdems.org.uk

35
THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

Bridget Fox
CANDIDATE: Liberal Democrat PPC for Islington South and Finsbury
MAJORITY: 484 (1.56%)
SWING REQUIRED: 0.78%
INCUMBENT: Emily Thornberry MP (Labour)

BACKGROUND An award-winning environmental campaigner and


Liberal Democrats are hoping it will be second time resident of the area for almost 20 years, she is active
lucky in Islington South and Finsbury for Fox, where in local groups, including the St Luke’s Timebank,
she is hoping to overturn the slim 484 majority in NO2ID, and the North London Fawcett Group,
the party’s top target seat in London. and has a pedigree in public service in Islington
including performing roles as a school governor and
Fox has been working the constituency for three charity trustee.
years in her official capacity as Liberal Democrat
Parliamentary Spokesperson, but has an established CONSTITUENCY PROFILE
high-profile in the area as a local councillor until Islington was an early stronghold for the Social
2006, and as parliamentary candidate in 2005. Local Democratic Party when all three sitting Labour MPs
Liberal Democrats blame the decision to split their defected to the party, together with a majority of
efforts between the Islington South seat and the the Borough Council. However, in the 1983 general
less winnable Islington North, for their failure to election Labour managed to retain the constituency
translate the governance of the local council into narrowly. The new MP, Chris Smith, kept the seat
a Westminster victory last time round. We can expect until his retirement in 2005. Liberal Democrat revival
lots of visits from Nick Clegg during the election in local elections in Islington, saw them take control
campaign as well interest from the national media of the council in 2000 and in 2002, they won every
because of its location just a few tube stops away council seat in Islington South & Finsbury. Labour
from Westminster. has since won back all its council seats in Islington
South & Finsbury, so this is by no means a gimme:
Fox, a seasoned campaigner and media performer Fox will have to work hard for all 485 of the votes
operates well under the spotlight – and although she needs to return a Lib Dem MP. Despite London
a reflective and thoughtful character, she can be Mayor, Boris Johnson’s high profile as an Islington
surprisingly feisty and aggressive on the stump. resident, the Conservatives came fourth in Islington
Her barnstorming 2007 hustings speech won over South in the Euro elections, and a former Tory PPC
wavering local members and it’s expected she’ll be John Szeremy is the latest high profile endorsement
a useful and regular media performer for Clegg in to have defected and backed Fox’s campaign.
the next parliament, having already faced the
scrutiny of the national broadcast media in 2005.

“I fully support Bridget Fox and the excellent work


she does campaigning locally.”
Vince Cable MP

CONTACT A: 3N Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, E: islington_ld@cix.co.uk


London N1 3QP W: www. bridget4islington.wordpress.com
T: 020 7354 0571

36
THE NEXT GENERATION

The Electoral Battlegrounds

Louise Abbott
Senior Account Manager, Insight Public Affairs

In General Elections there are three types of seats political junkies watch to try to predict the
election result: bellwether contests that historically fall to the winning party, key marginals that
decide majorities and scandal hit safe seats that fall to popular outsiders. In 2010 however,
every seat has the potential for high drama. The expenses scandal has added considerably to
the high turnover of MPs that one would expect at the end of a third term Government. Many
constituencies that were once safe, bed-blocker seats are being fought by new and dynamic
candidates. In such tumultuous times, election night will surely cede a number of unpredictable
results. Here are a few contests that are worth keeping an eye on.
BELLWETHERS AND KEY MARGINALS
Recent boundary changes mean that there are only really two reliable bellwethers remaining, Dartford
(Dr Howard Stoate MP) and Chorley (Lindsay Hoyle MP) that have both followed the national result in every
election since 1964. In 2010, Dartford is likely to turn blue, along with a number of other ultra-marginals in
Kent. The key seat to watch here is Dover: the safest of Labour’s 7 Kent seats in 2005, if Charlie Elphicke
wins here, Cameron is likely heading to Number 10.
For Cameron to gain a single-figure majority, the constituencies of Hyndburn (6.9% swing), Kingswood
(6.85% swing) and Derby North (6.8% swing) will have to switch from Labour to the Conservatives. In the
South West, where the Conservatives could take as many as 10 seats from the LibDems, close contests are
likely in Torbay, Taunton and Somerset and Frome. The most marginal is Somerset and Frome where
Annunziata Rees-Mogg needs only a 0.6% swing to unseat LibDem incumbent David Heath.
UPSETS
There are three key seats that might provide break through opportunities for the minor parties: Brighton
Pavilion for the Greens (Caroline Lucas), Barking for the BNP (Nick Griffin) and Buckingham for UKIP (Nigel
Farage). Expect great theatre in all three contests but perhaps only one upset. With 35% of the vote in a
recent ICM poll and a clutch of local council wins, Lucas is the hot bet in Brighton Pavilion.
As much as it would delight the Conservatives to see Ed Balls decapitated (electorally) in Morley and
Outwood, a notional majority of 9,784 and a required Conservative swing of 12.3%, makes this impossible.
However, vulnerable high profile figures include Jim Murphy in East Renfrewshire (majority 6,657). This was
a safe Conservative seat until 1997. If Richard Cook can face down the current Secretary of State in 2010,
this might mark the start of a Conservative fight back north of the border.
PARLIAMENTARY EXPENSES
The expenses scandal has rocked voter trust in MPs and will be a decisive factor in many local contests.
The majority of MPs embroiled in the worst transgressions have either stood down or been ousted saving a
great number of defeats to outsiders standing on an anti-scandal platform. Those MPs that have clung on
during the expenses storm are the most vulnerable and should be watched closely.
Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is particularly vulnerable in Redditch. Conservative PPC Karen Lumley
requires only a 4.6% swing and even Smith admits her prospects are bleak. Serial house flipper Margaret
Moran is standing down in Luton South, but Nigel Huddleston (Conservative) and Gavin Shuker (Labour)
will be fighting Esther Rantzen for every last vote in this key marginal.
With so many close contests to watch, the possibility of a hung Parliament and the prospect of several
senior members losing their seats, get your popcorn ready for a gripping election night.

37
THE NEXT GENERATION: THE TARGET SEATS

Retiring MPs and PPCs

Labour (91)
Name Constituency PPC Website
Hilary Armstrong Durham North West Pat Glass
John Austin Erith and Thamesmead Teresa Pearce www.teresapearce.co.uk
John Battle Leeds West Rachel Reeves www.rachelreeves.net
Liz Blackman Erewash ALL WOMEN SHORTLIST
Des Browne Kilmarnock and Loudoun Cathy Jamieson MSP www.cathyjamiesonmsp.co.uk
Colin Burgon Elmet and Rothwell James Lewis www.jameslewis.me.uk
Stephen Byers Tyneside North ALL WOMEN SHORTLIST
Richard Caborn Sheffield Central Paul Blomfield www.paulblomfield.co.uk
Colin Challen Morley and Rothwell SEAT ABOLISHED
Ben Chapman Wirral South Alison McGovern
David Chaytor Bury North Maryam Khan
Michael Clapham Barnsley West and Penistone SEAT ABOLISHED
David Clelland Tyne Bridge CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
(new constituency Gateshead)
Harry Cohen Leyton and Wanstead CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Frank Cook Stockton North Alex Cunningham www.stockton-north.com
Jim Cousins Newcastle upon Tyne Central Chi Onwurah www.chi4central.com
Ann Cryer Keighley Jane Thomas www.janethomaslabour.co.uk
John Cummings Easington Grahame Morris www.grahamemorris.com
Claire Curtis-Thomas Crosby Bill Esterson (new
constituency Sefton Central)
Janet Dean Burton Ruth Smeeth www.ruthsmeeth.co.uk
Jim Devine Livingston Graeme Morrice
Bill Etherington Sunderland North Julie Elliott (new constituency
Sunderland Central) www.julie4sunderland.com
Barbara Follett Stevenage Sharon Taylor www.sharontaylor4stevenage.com
Neil Gerrard Walthamstow Stella Creasy www.workingforwalthamstow.org.uk
Nigel Griffiths Edinburgh South CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
John Grogan Selby Jan Marshall (new
constituency Selby and Ainsty)
Mike Hall Weaver Vale CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Doug Henderson Newcastle upon Tyne North Catherine McKinnell www.catherinemckinnell.co.uk
Stephen Hesford Wirral West CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Patricia Hewitt Leicester West Liz Kendall www.lizkendall.org
Keith Hill Streatham Chuka Umunna www.streathamlabour.org.uk
Kim Howells Pontypridd CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Beverley Hughes Stretford and Urmston Kate Green www.kategreen.org
John Hutton Barrow and Furness John Woodcock www.john-woodcock-for-furness.org
Brian Iddon Bolton South East Yasmin Qureshi www.yasminqureshi.org.uk
Adam Ingram East Kilbride, Strathaven Michael McCann
and Lesmahagow
Lynne Jones Birmingham Selly Oak SEAT ABOLISHED
Martyn Jones Clwyd South Susan Elan Jones
Ruth Kelly Bolton West Julie Hilling www.juliehilling.org.uk

38
THE NEXT GENERATION: THE TARGET SEATS

Labour continued
Name Constituency PPC Website
Fraser Kemp Houghton and Bridget Phillipson (new www.bridgetphillipson.co.uk
Washington East constituency Houghton
and Sunderland South)
Jane Kennedy Liverpool Wavertree Luciana Berger www.lucianaberger.com
David Lepper Brighton Pavilion Nancy Platts www.nancyplatts.com
Tom Levitt High Peak Caitlin Bisknell
Andrew Mackinlay Thurrock Carl Morris www.carlmorris4thurrock.com
Bob Marshall Medway Teresa Murray (new www.teresamurray.org.uk
Andrews constituency Rochester
and Strood)
Eric Martlew Carlisle Michael Boaden www.ericmartlew.org.uk
Christine McCafferty Calder Valley Stephanie Booth www.stephbooth4caldervalley.co.uk
Ian McCartney Makerfield Yvonne Forargue
John McFall Dunbartonshire West CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Rosemary McKenna Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Gregg McClymont www.eastdunbartonshire
Kirkintilloch East labourparty.org.uk
Alan Milburn Darlington Jenny Chapman www.jennychapman.co.uk
Margaret Moran Luton South Gavin Shuker www.gavinshuker.org
Elliot Morley Scunthorpe Nic Dakin
Kali Mountford Colne Valley Debbie Abrahams www.debbieabrahams4
colnevalley.org.uk
Chris Mullin Sunderland South SEAT ABOLISHED
Denis Murphy Wansbeck CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Doug Naysmith Bristol North West Sam Townsend www.samtownend.com
Eddie O'Hara Knowsley South SEAT ABOLISHED
Bill Olner Nuneaton Jayne Innes www.jayneinnes.org.uk
Ian Pearson Dudley South ALL WOMEN SHORTLIST
Greg Pope Hyndburn Graham Jones
Bridget Prentice Lewisham East Heidi Alexander www.heidialexander.org.uk
John Prescott Hull East Karl Turner
Ken Purchase Wolverhampton North East Emma Reynolds www.emmareynolds.org.uk
John Reid Airdrie and Shotts ALL WOMEN SHORTLIST
Martin Salter Reading West Naz Sarkar www.readingwest.com
Mohammed Sarwar Glasgow Central Anas Sarwar www.sarwar4glasgow.com
Clare Short1 (Independent) Birmingham Ladywood Shabana Mahmood www.shabanamahmood.co.uk
Sion Simon Birmingham Erdington CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Alan Simpson Nottingham South Lilian Greenwood www.liliangreenwood.blogspot.com
John Smith Vale of Glamorgan Alana Davies www.alanadavies.co.uk
Helen Southworth Warrington South Nick Bent
Ian Stewart Eccles SEAT ABOLISHED
Howard Stoate Dartford John Adams www.dartfordlabourparty.org.uk
Gavin Strang Edinburgh East Sheila Gilmore
David Taylor (Deceased) Leicestershire North West Ross Willmott
Paddy Tipping Sherwood Emilie Oldknow www.emilie4sherwood.co.uk

39
THE NEXT GENERATION: THE TARGET SEATS

Retiring MPs and PPCs


Continued

Labour continued
Name Constituency PPC Website
Mark Todd Derbyshire South Michael Edwards www.southderbyslabour.org.uk
Don Touhig Islwyn CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Paul Truswell Pudsey Jamie Hanley
Des Turner Brighton Kemptown Simon Burgess www.iwc2.labouronline.org
Neil Turner Wigan Lisa Nandy
Kitty Ussher Burnley Julie Cooper www.juliecooperforburnley.co.uk
Rudi Vis Finchley and Golders Green Alison Moore
Robert Wareing2 Liverpool West Derby Stephen Twigg www.twigg4westderby.com
Alan Williams Swansea West Geraint Davies www.geraintdavies.org.uk
Betty Williams Aberconwy Ronald Hughes
Michael Wills Swindon North Victor Agarwal www.victor4stanwell.org.uk
Tony Wright Cannock Chase Susan Woodward
Derek Wyatt Sittingbourne and Sheppey Angela Harrison www.sittingbourneand
sheppeylabour.org.uk
(1) Independent Labour (2) Deselected – may stand as Independent

Conservative (38)
Name Constituency PPC Website
Peter Ainsworth Surrey East CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Michael Ancram Devizes Claire Perry www.claireperry.org.uk
Peter Atkinson Hexham Guy Opperman ww.guyopperman.blogspot.com
Tim Boswell Daventry Chris Heaton-Harris www.heatonharris.com
Angela Browning Tiverton and Honiton Neil Parish www.neilparish.co.uk
John Butterfill Bournemouth West Conor Burns www.localconservatives.com
Derek Conway Old Bexley and Sidcup James Brokenshire MP www.jamesbrokenshire.com
Sir Patrick Cormack Staffordshire South Gavin Williamson
David Curry Skipton and Rippon Julian Smith www.juliansmithppc.com
Quentin Davies1 (Labour) Grantham and Stamford Nick Boles www.nickboles.com
Christopher Fraser Norfolk South West Liz Truss www.elizabethtruss.com
Paul Goodman Wycombe Steve Baker www.stevebaker.info
John Greenway2 Ryedale SEAT ABOLISHED
John Gummer Suffolk Coastal Therese Coffey www.theresecoffey.com
Douglas Hogg Sleaford and North Hykeham Stephen Phillips www.stephenphillips.org.uk
John Horam Orpington Jo Johnson
Michael Howard Folkestone and Hythe Damian Collins www.damiancollins.com
Michael Jack Fylde Mark Menzies www.markmenzies.org.uk
Robert Key Salisbury John Glen www.johnglen.org
Julie Kirkbride Bromsgrove Sajid Javid www.sajidjavid.com
Jacqui Lait Beckenham Bob Stewart www.beckenhamconservatives.com
Michael Lord Suffolk Central and Ipswich North Daniel Poulter www.drdanielpoulter.com
Andrew Mackay Bracknell Phillip Lee www.phillip-lee.com
David Maclean Penrith and The Border Rory Stewart www.rorystewart.co.uk

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THE NEXT GENERATION: THE TARGET SEATS

Conservative continued
Name Constituency PPC Website
Humphrey Malins Woking Jonathan Lord www.workingconservatives.org.uk
John Maples Stratford-on-Avon CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Michael Mates Hampshire East Damian Hinds www.damianhinds.info
Malcolm Moss Cambridgeshire North East Steve Barclay www.stevebarclay.net
Andrew Pelling Croydon Central Gavin Barwell www.gavin4croydon.com
Michael Spicer Worcestershire West Harriet Baldwin www.harriettbaldwin.com
Richard Spring Suffolk West Matthew Hancock
Anthony Steen Totnes Sarah Wollaston www.drsarah.org.uk
Ian Taylor Esher and Walton Dominic Raab www.domraab.blogspot.com
Peter Viggers Gosport Caroline Dinenage www.caroline4gosport.co.uk
Ann Widdecombe Maidstone and The Weald Helen Grant www.helengrant.org
David Wilshire Spelthorne Kwasi Kwarteng www.kwart2010.com
Ann Winterton Congleton Fiona Bruce www.fionabruce.co.uk
Sir Nicholas Winterton Macclesfield David Rutley www.macclesfieldconservatives.com
(1) Elected Conservative – defected Labour – deselected (2) Anne McIntosh selected for new constituency Thirsk and Malton

Liberal Democrat (7)


Name Constituency PPC Website
John Barrett Edinburgh West Michael Crockart
Colin Breed South East Cornwall Karen Gillard www.karengillard.org.uk
David Howarth Cambridge Julian Huppert www.julianhuppert.org.uk
Paul Keetch Hereford and
South Herefordshire Sarah Carr www.sarahcarr.org.uk
Mark Oaten Winchester Martin Todd www.martintod.org.uk
Matthew Taylor Truro and Falmouth Terrye Teverson www.terryeteverson.org
Phil Willis Harrogate and Knaresborough Claire Kelley www.clairekelley.org.uk

Other (3)
Name Constituency PPC Website
Iris Robinson Strangford CANDIDATE NOT SELECTED
Adam Price Carmarthen East and Dinefwr Jonathan Edwards
Alex Salmond Banff and Buchan Eilidh Whiteford

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THE NEXT GENERATION: THE TARGET SEATS

PPC data analysis

This analysis looks at the candidates selected in seats where the sitting MP is retiring.
The data has been compiled based on information in public domain, and is correct as at
8 February 2010.

OVERVIEW We know the age of 56 of the Labour Party’s


•138 MPs have announced they are retiring, have candidates:
been deselected or have seen their constituency 25 – 30: 12 candidates (21 percent)
abolished due to boundary changes. Of those, 91
are Labour, 37 are Conservative, 7 are Liberal 31 – 35: 10 candidates (18 percent)
Democrats and 3 represent other political parties. 36 – 40: 8 candidates (14 percent)
•Labour have selected 70 candidates to fill these 41 – 45: 8 candidates (14 percent)
seats, the Conservatives have selected 36. 46 – 50: 9 candidates (16 percent)
GENDER 51 – 55: 7 candidates (13 percent)
•9 out the 36 Conservative seats (25 percent) have 56 – 60: 1 candidate (2 percent)
selected women – a net gain of 4 women.
61 or older: 1 candidate (2 percent)
•41 women have been selected in Labour seats,
plus five seats are yet to select from all women We know the age of 33 of the Conservative Party’s
shortlists (total 61 percent), representing a net gain candidates:
of 27 women. 25 – 30: 0 candidates (0 percent)
COUNCIL EXPERIENCE 31 – 35: 6 candidates (18 percent)
•Of the 70 Labour candidates, 36 have experience 36 – 40: 16 candidates (49 percent)
serving as Councillors (51 percent).
41 – 45: 5 candidates (15 percent)
•Of the 36 Conservative candidates, 8 have 46 – 50: 4 candidates (12 percent)
experience serving as Councillors (22 percent).
51 – 55: 1 candidate (3 percent)
AGE 56 – 60: 1 candidate (3 percent)
•The average age of candidates is Labour 40.1,
Conservatives 40, Liberal Democrats 44.5. 61 or older: 0 candidates (0 percent)

•12 of Labour’s candidates (21 percent) are aged 30 ETHNICITY


or younger, a total of 22 candidates are under 35 •The Conservatives have selected 4 ethnic minority
(39 percent). candidates in Conservative-held seats (12 percent).
•None of the Conservative candidates are under the •The Labour Party has selected 10 ethnic minority
age of 30 but 6 are under 35 (18 percent). candidates in Labour-held seats (14 percent).

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THE NEXT GENERATION: THE TARGET SEATS

New constituencies and boundary


changes in marginal seats

NEW SEATS
13 new seats are created following boundary changes, of which 10 are notionally Conservative and three Lib Dem:
New Conservative seats Notional majority Conservative PPC
Broadland Conservative majority 5121 (10.6%) Keith Simpson
Chelsea and Fulham Conservative majority 10724 (30.2%) Greg Hands
Derbyshire Mid Conservative majority 2971 (6.8%) Pauline Latham
Devon Central Conservative majority 1744 (3.7%) Mel Stride
Filton and Bradley Stoke Conservative majority 1201 (2.9%) Jack Lopresti
Kenilworth and Southam Conservative majority 8992 (19.5%) Jeremy Wright
Meon Valley Conservative majority 1990 (4.1%) George Hollingbery
Northamptonshire South Conservative majority 10617 (24.3%) Andrea Leadsom
Witham Conservative majority 7045 (16%) Priti Patel
Wyre and Preston North Conservative majority 14567 (28.7%) Julian Sturdy
New Lib Dem seats Notional majority Lib Dem PPC
Chippenham Lib Dem majority 1260 (2.7%) Duncan Hames
St Austell and Newquay Lib Dem majority 630 (1.6%) Stephen Gilbert
York Outer Lib Dem majority 1821 (4.5%) Madeleine Kirk

BOUNDARY CHANGES
There are 20 seats that, had they been fought with the new 2010 boundaries in 2005, would theoretically
have been won by another political party. In many cases the changes in these seats are actually very small,
but because the seats were very marginal in 2005 they notionally change hands going into this election.
Conservative seats notionally gained by Labour Labour PPC
Lancaster and Fleetwood Clive Grunshaw
Croydon Central Gerry Ryan
Milton Keynes North Andrew Pakes
Hammersmith Andrew Slaughter
Northampton South Clyde Loakes
Labour seats notionally gained by Conservatives Conservative PPC
Somerset North East Jacob Rees-Mogg
Staffordshire Moorlands Karen Bradley
Selby and Ainsty Nigel Adams
Gillingham and Rainham Rehman Chishti
Portsmouth North Penny Mordaunt
Thanet South Laura Sandys
Sittingbourne and Sheppey Gordon Henderson
Rochester and Strood Mark Reckless
Wirral West Esther McVey
Ealing Central and Acton Angie Bray
Enfield North Nick de Bois
Labour seats notionally gained by Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrat PPC
Oxford East Steve Goddard
Liberal Democrat seats notionally gained by Conservatives Conservative PPC
Solihull Maggie Throup
Somerton and Frome Annunziata Rees-Mogg
Plaid Cymru seats notionally gained by Labour Labour PPC
Arfon Alun Pugh

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THE NEXT GENERATION: PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO WATCH

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44
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