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Ruth Kelly linked to seat switch

9:40am Thursday 28th December 2006

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RUTH Kelly could switch Parliamentary seats to avoid becoming a high-profile victim of any dip in support for Labour at the next General Election, according to senior party sources.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is at the centre of rumours linking her with a move from her marginal Bolton West constituency to the safer Bolton South-east seat.

Ms Kelly secured a third successive victory in the 2005 General Election with a narrow 2,064 majority, but Dr Brian Iddon, who is retiring ahead of the next poll, won Bolton South-east by 11,638 votes.

A senior Labour Party source said: "The rumours are buzzing around. We have 50 seats like Bolton West across the country and any indication that we can't hold seats like Ruth's is an admission we can't win the next election.

"It's also a slap in the face for Gordon Brown as it's saying he can't rely on the support of Middle England and will have the effect of making other MPs in marginal seats say if she can do it why can't we?'"

While party members in the Bolton North-east constituency this month confirmed their support for sitting MP David Crausby to defend his seat in a "trigger ballot", a date has yet to be set for a similar ballot in Bolton West.

The source said: "These votes normally take place in December or January so it's another indication a move could be on the cards."

Bolton West party chairman and Bolton Council leader Cllr Morris insisted constituencies had until June to hold a ballot, a date set by the party's national executive committee.

"Of course it will happen," he said. "It's done in phases. I've not heard anything about these rumours."

Dr Iddon said: "As soon as I announced my retirement in October these rumours started appearing on the internet but I don't know anything more about it."

He said there had been "a lot of interest" in the seat, with names in the frame including Tony Blair's speechwriter, Phillip Collins, a novelist from Ainsworth.

But the selection process will not begin until after the local elections in May.

A spokesman for Ms Kelly said: "She does not comment on speculation."

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Your Say YourThe Bolton News

Cllr Sean Hornby, says...
11:57am Thu 28 Dec 06

Ruth Kelly has made no approach what so ever to Bolton South East Constituency Labour Party to switch seats. The process to replace Dr Brian Iddon who has been an excellent MP for the past 10 years will commence in July 2007 and not before. This has been confirmed at our meeting of the CLP in December 2006 by Anna Blunt the Regional Director of Labour North West who is the appointed representative of Labour's NEC to over see the selection of our candidate to fight the next General Election when ever that may be. This is an issue which is entirely for the members of Bolton South East CLP only. It has nothing to do with any other constituency what so ever and I would hope that others including the media would keep their buts out of the affairs of our Constituency.

To date only one person has indicated in writing that they are interested in the seat of Bolton S.E. but until the time comes when the selection process starts that person would not be considered at all. No one else to date which includes members of Bolton South East CLP which are interested in Bolton S.E. have written to the Executive of the CLP.

Cllr Sean Hornby
Treasurer Bolton S.E. Labour Party




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James, says...
12:47pm Thu 28 Dec 06

Who cares? You only do what is right for the party rather than the people anyway!! I'd be happy to see the back of Labour in Bolton, mis-managed the council and certainly dont do anything in the interests of Boltonians.

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BoltonBloke, says...
12:51pm Thu 28 Dec 06

It would be an admission of complete failure of this government by the government itself if Labour resorted to moving Ruth Kelly to a safe seat. The opposing parties will simply have a field day and that would make all Bolton Labour seats vulnerable. Ruth Kelly should stand by the record of the government and her own work in the Bolton West constituency. To be fair, it is not a bad record from what I hear from locals in Bolton West and the government's record on the economy and living standards has been good. Remember the 3 million unemployed and how that blighted Bolton? When there is going to be a change of leadership, this is simply not the time to throw in the towel.

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MM, says...
12:52pm Thu 28 Dec 06

As this constituency is a labour stronghold, don’t mind who takes over as long as they have a proven track record in politics knows what they are talking about and good leadership character to become a politician. As this is a high profile job, what we don’t want is any Tom, Dick and Harry off the street taking over.

Contenders for MP Bolton SE

Ruth Kelly: her record speaks for it self but one thing which may detriment her chances as Saajid mentioned is the war in Iraq.

Current Bolton Labour Councillors: No experience, No class to become an MP, however determination and dedication would be there.

Cllr Sean Hornby: just because other contenders are not member of South East CLP there’s no need to be upset. All we ant is the right person for the job.

Peter Kay: Boltonion though and through any day he’ll get my vote. (Joke)

All in all I just wish the people who makes the decision will make the right decision.

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Tubby Scruff, says...
2:33pm Thu 28 Dec 06

What has Kelly done for the people of Bolton ? She's not even from here !

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PN, says...
2:42pm Thu 28 Dec 06

If Ms Kelly was any good, it wouldn't be necessary to even consider changing wards.

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Anne Barton, says...
2:44pm Thu 28 Dec 06

Why has the Bolton News removed Saajids comments, is it because he stated that Ruth Kelly could cause tensions within the Asian community? I agree with Saajid. As Minister for communities Ruth Kelly has already upset the Muslim community with her strong support for the invasion of Iraq and her desire to close certain fundamentalist schools on account of their Islamic faith. Little wonder therefore that Saajid is concerned. Yet the Bolton News has decided to censor him, so much for free speech.

In Bolton we are fortunate in being free of racial tension, unlike neighbouring towns such as Burnley or Oldham. The last thing we need is for Ruth Kelly to antagonize Muslims further by her presence and to open a gateway of opportunity for people like the vile BNP to exploit such tensions.

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Anne Barton, says...
3:21pm Thu 28 Dec 06

I've just been thinking about this situation and perhaps there ought to be a law that prohibits sitting MPs from jumping seats like this? This type scenario soils the political process and makes politicians look like they are only interested in preserving their career.

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Chris Sudlow, says...
4:15pm Thu 28 Dec 06

Re Anne Barton's comment re Saajids post:
We have had a number of complaints about this and under the free speech and fair play agreement listed below have deleted his message.
Moderator

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Anne Barton, says...
4:25pm Thu 28 Dec 06

So Saajids post received a number of complaints! Somehow I find that hard to believe. I read the post and didn't find anything to be offensive about it, the post was passionate, but certainly was not abusive.

Yet again The Bolton News is in the business of protecting its high profile celeb-MP Ruth Kelly. A very sad state of affairs.

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Cllr Andy Morgan, says...
4:31pm Thu 28 Dec 06

Who are you kidding Cllr Hornby? If Ruth Kelly wanted to nip this one in the bud all she would have to do is deny the "speculation" and confirm she was standing for Bolton West. Which ever way she finally goes she can be assured the Conservative Party will be doing all it can to rid Bolton of the ever asbsent Ms Kelly.

Andy Morgan
(Cllr Hulton Ward)

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Tubby Scruff, says...
7:07pm Thu 28 Dec 06

Hmm funny business. I think somebody paper has a secret hankering for Kelly..! Why is her name on the header when entering the site and not our other esteemed MP's ?

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EricH, says...
7:40pm Thu 28 Dec 06

I have to agree with Andy Morgan, why not ask the lady herself?
Perhaps you could call her at her constituency residence, she might be there.

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Bill, says...
7:54pm Thu 28 Dec 06

At last we will hopefully see the back of this woman who has done absolutely nothing for Bolton, again she is looking after herself only. Good ridance

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Albert, says...
7:55pm Thu 28 Dec 06

There are no red haired mingers in Bolton West. Ruth Kelly wont be missed. She has never been there anyway!

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Dave, says...
8:20pm Thu 28 Dec 06

If Ms. Kelly is thinking of switching constituancies in order to garner a 'safe' seat i would like to say this I think of all the trouble i went through to make sure i got my vote in the last election (To jog your memory and to enlighten others, for some reason, my side of the street had completely dropped off the polling list) in order to support you Ms. Kelly! I was glad that you have brought us something to be proud of, dont be a glory hunter who wants to abandon her loyal constituants and try to find a way to cling on to the cash cow. Please make us a bit more aware of your presence, show us your doing things for Bolton West as well as holding down the top jobs you want. And show us you have trust in us, by standing by your supporters, in standing for Bolton West in the forthcoming elections, give people like me and others, who stick poster all over our cars, house windows and big boards in our gardens, something to trust in, if we know your going to do right by us in thick or thin, then you'll get much more kudos than you ever will by jumping ship and 'using' the electorate in a safe seat.

Loyal Labour Supporter, Westhoughton

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MM, says...
9:00pm Thu 28 Dec 06

A bit of speculation form the Bolton News would helpful of the next Labour candidate for Bolton SE.
As you are the main source for the local headlines in the area, can Bolton News not at least give us a few recommendation of who would they like see being the next Labour Candidate? Come on a bit speculation or rumours would nice as you are the local journalist and not only news reporters. I’m sure a few recommendations wouldn’t land you into trouble. Make your article a bit more interesting, not saying they are not interesting but a few rumours on the next candidate would be nice.

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Graham, says...
12:01pm Fri 29 Dec 06

All she ever managed to do was have four kids, for which she gets very well more than enough to have them nannied, is grossly overpaid, over-absent and totally inefficient. Yet another Tonyite who will do anything to please him at the expence of constiuents. Good riddance.

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Diana Heathcote, says...
12:41pm Fri 29 Dec 06

Ruth Kelly MP supported the war in Iraq. As a Christian I cannot support her or reconcile her Christian morality with mine. When I think of all the deaths in Iraq it fills me with sorrow. Most heartbreaking of all is that the war was based on lies.

Ruth Kelly MP, as a Christian, ought to apologise for supporting the war in Iraq.

I find it hard to understand how a woman who has such admirable views on abortion could at the same time have such double standards and devalue life by giving her support to the invasion of Iraq.

To me it seems that Ruth Kelly MP voted for war with Iraq to protect her career as a minister.

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Walter Scott, says...
12:53pm Fri 29 Dec 06

I would have thought that the serious problems we have in Bolton South East Constituency with regard to Drugs ASB and Prostitution would be a good enough reason for our next MP to be a champion of Communities.The present MP is an ardent supporter of druggies and pros. If Ruth Kelly presents herself as a champion of the Majority Opinion she could be a breath of fresh air.
It is her right to express an interest if she wants to just as it is the right of many other individuals to do the same.I think it is called Democracy.

Campaigner..





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Wandering Walter, says...
1:48pm Fri 29 Dec 06

A Champion of what..! Kelly has done zilch for Bolton but everything for herself. The poster Diane Heathcote sums it up very well and personally I am in full agreement with her. Whats to say IF Kelly was to gain this seat (which is all conjecture) She would suddenly turn over a new leaf, actually do something and tackle this problem ? Lest we forget this is a woman who claims great moral standing, yet allowed sex offenders to work in Schools, voted for a war which is against her religious belief, a war of lies. Surely when such a person would do such things, she, as the rest of the moronic, morally corrupt Government will say and do anything to hold on wihout second thought for the people of Bolton ?

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MH, says...
2:06pm Fri 29 Dec 06

I can't see what all the fuss is about. It's merely rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. If Ruth Kelly thinks that the current bunch of power crazed megalomaniacs have a chance at the next election then she is deluding herself.

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Frank, says...
2:13pm Fri 29 Dec 06

Ruth seems to be coming in for a bit of stick! The big issue here for Labour is that she is sending out the clear message that the party cannot win the next election. Labour bashed Tory MPs for doing the "chicken run" to safer seats before the 1997 election. Now the boot is on the other foot Ruth wants to do what she criticised others for doing.
I wonder if the local Labour Party has been told about her plans? The Tories in Bolton West must be ****-a-hoop.

Frank

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Lifelong Labour Supporter, says...
2:26pm Fri 29 Dec 06

I honestly can't remember reading about Ruth Kelly ever championing any local issue since she was elected.
I'm also very annoyed that she sees fit to abandon a seat Labour has managed to win three times on the trot.
She might as well say all hope is lost for Labour. The right-wing media will also have a field day with her. And I bet her colleagues in other marginal seats are not best pleased at her "lifeboat for one" antics.
If Ruth Kelly tries to move seats, I for one will never vote for her - after voting Labour for the past 10 general elections.
Its up to her to put a stop to all this and tell us that she will stand again in Bolton West.

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Val Slater, says...
4:13pm Fri 29 Dec 06

Is it just me or is there something very quirky about Ruth Kelly? From her jolly hockey sticks voice to her Burton's waistcoats and her volumous unconditioned hair, there seems to be something very spooky about her.

With Ruth Kelly we have grown to expect the unexpected, so why is anyone shocked at the antics of a woman whose behaviour has been so bizarre as an MP?

Like most of the country I welcomed a change of government in 1997 and I voted for Ruth Kelly, however I have not voted since. I am a traditional Labour supporter but cannot vote for the current Labour Party because it is run by people like Ruth Kelly. People who put their career above their constituency.

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Anne Barton, says...
4:44pm Fri 29 Dec 06

Here is an old music hall number that Labour voters in Bolton West might be singing come the next election. The lyrics have been altered to cover recent events.

Has anybody here seen Kelly?
K-E-double L-Y
Has anybody here seen Kelly?
Have you seen her smile?
Sure, her hair is red, her eyes are blue,
And she's New Labour through and through!
Has anybody here seen Kelly?
Kelly from Bolton West,
Oh, she's gone away, oh can't you see, from her marginal seat she had to flee,
Has anybody here seen Kelly,
Ruth Kelly our ex-MP!

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Betrayed, says...
11:37am Sat 30 Dec 06

Well said, Val Slater. Yes, the Labour Party is run by top-down control freaks who are more interested in their own political ladder-climbing than they are in the people they are supposed to represent. Brian Iddon has been an excellent MP for Bolton South East; hard working and loyal. He may hold some strong views on controversial subjects, but the majority of sensible people agree that he is often proved to be right. Ruth Kelly is well-known for rarely being in her constituency, difficult to contact personally and somewhat disinterested in the people on the ground. For her to attempt to move to Bolton South East is a betrayal of all of those who worked hard to get her elected and would be a disaster for her and for the people of Bolton South East.

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Anne Barton, says...
2:56pm Sat 30 Dec 06

Betrayed, I agree with you that Brian Iddon is a hard working MP who is well liked by his constituents.

However I do seem to recall Brian Iddon saying that he would stand down after one term in office as he believed in democracy and didn't want to monopolise power. However once elected to parliament Brian Iddon didn't step down after one term in Westminster as he had promised.

Nontheless, I think there is a world of difference between Brian Iddon and Ms Career Kelly.

I only hope that the loyal Labour supporters don't reward Career Kelly with Brian Iddons hard earned votes.

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J Robinson, says...
9:12pm Wed 10 Jan 07

The very idea that the people of Bolton South-East would be willing or stupid enough to want to be represented by Ms 'hypocrite' Kelly is anathema to me. Ms Kelly smacks of a touch of desperation after her blatant attempt at manipulation of the education system. The people of Bolton South-East will be smacking every loving parent who can't get the help they need for their own children quickly or efficiently enough, firmly in the face if they accept the woman. I sincerely hope they don't choose to accept her. There will be, I have absolutely no doubt, far more genuine candidates.

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ian upton, Bolton & London says...
7:25pm Sun 11 Mar 07

Anne Barton wrote:
Betrayed, I agree with you that Brian Iddon is a hard working MP who is well liked by his constituents.

However I do seem to recall Brian Iddon saying that he would stand down after one term in office as he believed in democracy and didn't want to monopolise power. However once elected to parliament Brian Iddon didn't step down after one term in Westminster as he had promised.

Nontheless, I think there is a world of difference between Brian Iddon and Ms Career Kelly.

I only hope that the loyal Labour supporters don't reward Career Kelly with Brian Iddons hard earned votes.
So Brian Iddon is a liar then?


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