NUM president Ian Lavery chosen to fight for Wansbeck seat

Feb 27 2010 by David Black, The Journal

LABOUR Party members have chosen the national leader of Britain’s pitmen as their candidate to fight a traditionally safe seat in a former North East coal mining stronghold.

Ian Lavery – president of the National Union of Mineworkers – emerged as the winner from a shortlist of four drawn up to choose the General Election candidate for the Wansbeck constituency.

Yesterday his selection to defend the seat held by retiring MP Denis Murphy was described as ‘a backward step’ by his Liberal Democrat election rival, Simon Reed.

But local Labour officials say it is the perfect choice for a constituency where Mr Murphy had a majority of 10,500 votes over the Lib Dems in 2005. Yesterday Mr Lavery, 47, said: “I would not be surprised at anything Simon Reed comes up with, but Labour now has a candidate for Wansbeck and I am looking forward to fighting a proper campaign with real Labour values.

“As a Wansbeck person all my life I am delighted at the overwhelming support I’ve received from local party members. The campaign starts now and I’m looking forward to the continued assistance of the local constituency party as we engage with the public in discussion and debate on local and national issues.