Boaden chosen as new Carlisle Labour candidate
Last updated at 14:43, Monday, 23 November 2009
LABOUR has chosen Michael Boaden as the party’s candidate to stand in Carlisle at the General Election.
Mr Boaden, 46, is leader of the Labour opposition on Carlisle City Council.
He beat his nearest challenger, Chris Southward, by five votes at the selection meeting at Tullie House Museum on Saturday.
More than 140 Labour Party members took part.
Mr Boaden said afterwards: “I am absolutely delighted and am looking forward to the campaign ahead.
“The most important issue for Carlisle is to build on the platform of Labour investment in the city.”
He succeeds Eric Martlew who has been MP since 1987.
Mr Martlew had a majority of 5,695 at the last General Election but boundary changes since have made the seat more marginal.
John Stevenson, the prospective Conservative candidate, has high hopes of becoming Carlisle’s first Tory MP since 1964.
Mr Boaden said: “Eric Martlew has been an excellent hard working constituency MP, standing up for Carlisle. He will be a hard act to follow.
“The key thing for us is to get out there and make the case for Labour.
“I intend to take the battle to John Stevenson over the next few months and make sure everyone is aware of what the threat from a Tory government and Tory MP would be.”
Mr Boaden has plenty of campaign experience.
He stood in Penrith and the Border at the 2001 and 2005 General Elections.
Originally from Ipswich, he moved to Cumbria in 1992.
He is a city councillor for Botcherby and has led the Labour group since 2006.
He works part-time for Icas, an organisation that helps patients pursue complaints against the NHS.He lives with his partner, Deborah Neil, in Belle Vue.Mr Boaden was one of five shortlisted for the vacancy.The others were Chris Southward, chairman of Carlisle Labour Party; Kevin Parker, a Carlisle-born communications manager; Tricia Clarke, from London; and Veronica Killen, a midwifery lecturer from Hexham.
First published at 11:18, Monday, 23 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
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Who is he? He's made no impact as leader of the Labour Party on the city council and I understand he's not even from here. That's quite something considering we've had the renaissance and all sorts going on. I'm usually Labour but will vote Lib Dem or Green next time.
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So it's a southerner vs a Scot as far as the two main parties are concerned. Nice to know they are taking Carlisle so seriously. Might have voted Tory if they'd put up Mike Mitchelson again. If the Greens put up John Reardon my vote's going there. He's a good lad and an intelligent one and, ever since he was a Labour councillor he's always worked hard for the people of Carlisle because he's LOCAL and has their interests at heart.
Posted by Patrick on 24 November 2009 at 23:01