Brown aide romps home in Barrow contest

Downing Street aide John Woodcock has resoundingly won the contest to be Labour’s candidate for Barrow and Furness. Mr Woodcock, one of Gordon Brown’s media team, beat his nearest rival in the race to represent the seat to be vacated by former Cabinet minister John Hutton at the next general election at the selection meeting last weekend (October 24).

by Tribune Web Editor
Thursday, October 29th, 2009

by Chris McLaughlin

Downing Street aide John Woodcock has resoundingly won the contest to be Labour’s candidate for Barrow and Furness. Mr Woodcock, one of Gordon Brown’s media team, beat his nearest rival in the race to represent the seat to be vacated by former Cabinet minister John Hutton at the next general election at the selection meeting last weekend (October 24).

In a campaign fraught with claims of procedural irregularities and the backing of the party machine – strongly denied by regional officials – Mr Woodcock received more than 100 votes compared to 25 for international human rights lawyer Mark McDonald. Local candidate Cat Smith was suffering from swine flu and unable to attend the selection.

Just over one third of the votes cast were by postal ballot – an increasing tendency in high-profile selections, which the National Executive Committee has been asked to investigate.

Threats of further complaints are likely to be dropped for the sake of party unity.

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  1. October 30, 2009 at 4:22 pm
    Robert comments:

    How to become an MP work for an MP or the leader be a fetcher/carrier and get a position how not to be come an MP work in local Labour parties.