North political landscape redrawn as third of MPs quit

Jul 8 2009 by William Green, The Journal

A third of our MPs are quitting at the next election. Political editor William Green looks at the changing political landscape in North East

LABOUR’S traditional North East heartland could change for ever with nearly a third of MPs quitting at the general election.

Tories and Liberal Democrats could snatch seats and change the political landscape as younger and more women MPs break through.

Voters could also reject sitting MPs over the expenses crisis, which would hit Labour hardest, at the next election which must be held within 12 months.

The biggest change, whatever the result, will be in Labour’s ranks with eight MPs quitting at the election so far, while Stockton North’s Frank Cook has been deselected.

But while new candidates may have fewer union links, political expert Martin Farr said the shake-up could herald a return to “old” Labour values.

Dr Farr, based at Newcastle University, said this shift could be acute in the North East where Northern Rock has been nationalised while calls for rail renationalisation have grown following the failure of the East Coast franchise.

“It is less old Labour in terms of the make-up of candidates, but arguably in political terms it could see a return to traditional Labour values,” said Dr Farr.

He added there was an “end of an era” feeling with Labour expected to lose the upcoming election and many of its MPs announcing their retirement now.

“Many would rather not retire in Opposition and don’t fancy a campaign with all the expenses stuff floating around, which could be a very unpleasant experience for a lot of MPs,” said Dr Farr.

He added the next Parliament would more accurately reflect the demographic make-up of Britain.