As Louise Mensch resigns – Introducing Labour’s candidate for Corby

As Louise Mensch sensationally resigns having been an MP for just two years (managing to distract the Westminster village from the Olympics for a few moments), we thought it might be a good chance to take a look at the Labour and Co-op candidate for Corby – Andy Sawford.

35 year old Sawford was born and grew up locally, the son and grandson of Corby steelworkers. Educated at a local comprehensive school, he then went to Durham University where he gained a degree in history. Andy came back to work in Corby for the former MP, Phil Hope before running a small business and eventually becoming the chief executive of the Local Government Information Unit.

Recent campaigns run by Andy in Corby include attempts to save the Children’s heart surgery unit at Glenfield – which could find itself at the heart of the by-election campaign. The Tory majority in Corby is just 1951…

The by-election date is likely to be November 15th, co-inciding with PPC elections, by-elections in Manchester and Cardiff and the Mayoral election in Bristol. People are already calling it “Super Thursday”…

(We’re hoping to hear from Andy soon with his thoughts on the race – so stay tuned)