Candidate selected for super-safe seat Bootle

Leader of Sefton Council Peter Dowd has been selected as the Labour candidate for Bootle in 2015. Dowd reportedly secured the most nominations from wards earlier in the selection process.

Dowd will take the place of Joe Benton, who has represented the seat since 1990 (a year which saw two by-elections for the seat, as Alan Roberts and then his predecessor Michael Carr both passed away). Benton had reportedly wished to carry one, but “following amicable discussions” with his local Labour Party, the 81 year old decided to stand down in June.

Bootle has returned Labour MPs to Parliament at every election since 1945 and is the third safest Labour seat in the country, with a majority of 21,181.

Congratulations to Peter, and commiserations to all the other candidates.