MP Henderson ‘preparing to leave Commons at next election’

Jul 4 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

The former minister has an office and a house on Tyneside, but actually lives the majority of the time a four-hour drive away north of the border, with his wife Geraldine.

Newcastle’s Labour party members are already positioning themselves to battle over the seat.

Neighbouring MP Jim Cousins announced last month he was stepping down, and Labour party bosses have insisted the seat’s next challenger will be selected from an all-women shortlist, as has happened in seats across the North East.

But one party member has speculated that Newcastle North could be opened up to male candidates as well.

If so Newcastle Council’s Labour group leader Nick Forbes would be expected to bid for the seat.

He could be up against his council colleague Kevin Graham, who is believed to be considering running for the seat.

Mr Henderson had a majority of just over 7,000 over the Liberal Democrats at the last election. Boundary changes mean the seat will be slightly more vulnerable to a Lib Dem challenge at the next election, likely to be held next year.