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Labour want candidate to be a woman
LABOUR Party bosses will choose a woman to fight the Blackpool North and Cleveleys seat at the forthcoming General Election.
The announcement came today as the party looks to select a candidate to replace Joan Humble, who announced earlier this month she was standing down as an MP.
Blackpool councillor Simon Blackburn, yesterday named as the new leader of the Labour group on Blackpool Council, had hoped to fight for the seat.
But a vote by Labour's National Executive Committee has come out in favour of an all-woman shortlist.
A North West Labour Party spokesman said: "With the General Election approaching, the NEC agreed unanimously to set up a panel of NEC members that will oversee selections. The panel resolved Blackpool North and Cleveleys will select candidates from an all-woman shortlist."
Mrs Humble, who currently serves Blackpool North and Fleetwood, has served as MP for 13 years. She has decided to stand down to spend more time with her family.
Before today's news broke, Coun Blackburn talked about an "enormously exciting time" for the Labour Party on the Fylde coast.
A councillor for the last seven years, he will take over the reins of the Labour group on Blackpool Council when Ivan Taylor stands down on May 10.
The Brunswick ward councillor said: "Joan Humble has left a very strong political legacy."
The 35-year-old father-of-three joined Blackpool South Labour Party in 2001, and worked with various committees since becoming a councillor in 2003.
Currently a postgraduate student in social work, Coun Blackburn added: "There will be some changes within the Blackpool Labour Party, and I want to make sure taxpayers really get value for money."
Coun Taylor, who will remain a councillor, said: "Simon is a very enthusiastic young man, and he has always fought vigorously for what he believes in, and stood up for his ward residents.
"I'm very much looking forward to working with him."
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 32 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: North west
