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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Parties gear up for by-election | Parties gear up for by-election |
| (2 days later) | |
| by Andrew Sinclair Political Correspondent, BBC Look East Former MP Ian Gibson, who stood down after expenses allegations | by Andrew Sinclair Political Correspondent, BBC Look East Former MP Ian Gibson, who stood down after expenses allegations |
| A date has been set for a by-election in the Norwich North constituency following the resignation of Ian Gibson. | A date has been set for a by-election in the Norwich North constituency following the resignation of Ian Gibson. |
| He stood down after Labour's so called "star chamber" found him guilty by of mis-claiming on his expenses - a charge he continues to deny. | He stood down after Labour's so called "star chamber" found him guilty by of mis-claiming on his expenses - a charge he continues to deny. |
| The seat covers the northern suburbs of the city. It includes prosperous areas like Sprowston and Thorpe St Andrew but also some of the city's poorer area like Mile Cross. | The seat covers the northern suburbs of the city. It includes prosperous areas like Sprowston and Thorpe St Andrew but also some of the city's poorer area like Mile Cross. |
| With a general election less than a year away, a lot rests on the outcome of this seat. It is regarded as one of the safer Labour seats in East Anglia. | With a general election less than a year away, a lot rests on the outcome of this seat. It is regarded as one of the safer Labour seats in East Anglia. |
| If the Conservatives can overturn Dr Gibson's 5,500 majority it will be a big boost to their confidence and show that they are capable of winning power nationally. | If the Conservatives can overturn Dr Gibson's 5,500 majority it will be a big boost to their confidence and show that they are capable of winning power nationally. |
| Labour is not only unpopular nationally, the Ian Gibson affair divided the party and upset many constituents. | Labour is not only unpopular nationally, the Ian Gibson affair divided the party and upset many constituents. |
| Green Party hopes | Green Party hopes |
| If it can hold onto the seat it will be a sign that the party can still command significant support. | If it can hold onto the seat it will be a sign that the party can still command significant support. |
| The Liberal Democrats have never held the seat but believe that there is growing disenchantment with Labour and the Conservatives which will lead to an increase in support. | The Liberal Democrats have never held the seat but believe that there is growing disenchantment with Labour and the Conservatives which will lead to an increase in support. |
| The Green Party has come a long way in recent years. It is now the main opposition party on Norwich City Council and holds seven seats on the county council. | The Green Party has come a long way in recent years. It is now the main opposition party on Norwich City Council and holds seven seats on the county council. |
| They were putting their efforts into trying to win their first Westminster seat in Norwich South but hope to make a big impact in the by-election. | They were putting their efforts into trying to win their first Westminster seat in Norwich South but hope to make a big impact in the by-election. |
| National issues | National issues |
| Given the attention this by-election will receive, the main issues will be national ones - in particular the economy and how best to get through the recession. | Given the attention this by-election will receive, the main issues will be national ones - in particular the economy and how best to get through the recession. |
| Labour are already talking a lot about "Tory tax cuts" and showing how they would affect Norwich. | Labour are already talking a lot about "Tory tax cuts" and showing how they would affect Norwich. |
| The Conservatives have accused them of dirty tricks and are calling on the party to "come clean" about where Labour will have to make savings sooner or later. | The Conservatives have accused them of dirty tricks and are calling on the party to "come clean" about where Labour will have to make savings sooner or later. |
| The date of the by-election - 23 July - is the day that parliament and politics break for the summer. | The date of the by-election - 23 July - is the day that parliament and politics break for the summer. |
| So whoever gets a bad result can go away on holiday and forget all about it. | So whoever gets a bad result can go away on holiday and forget all about it. |
| Declared Candidates: | Declared Candidates: |
| • LABOUR - Chris Ostrowski | • LABOUR - Chris Ostrowski |
| • CONSERVATIVE - Chloe Smith | • CONSERVATIVE - Chloe Smith |
| • LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - April Pond | • LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - April Pond |
| • GREEN PARTY - Rupert Read | • GREEN PARTY - Rupert Read |
| • UKIP - Glen Tingle | • UKIP - Glen Tingle |
| • BNP - Robert West | • BNP - Robert West |
| • INDEPENDENT - Bill Holden | • INDEPENDENT - Bill Holden |
| • PUT AN HONEST MAN INTO PARLIAMENT - Craig Murray | |
| • LIBERTARIAN PARTY - Thomas Burridge | • LIBERTARIAN PARTY - Thomas Burridge |
| • MONSTER RAVING LOONY PARTY - Howling Laud | |
| • NOTA - Anne Fryatt | |
| • INDEPENDENT - Peter Baggs |