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Voters prepare for by-elections By-election voters head to polls
(about 14 hours later)
Voters are set to go to the polls on Thursday in English by-elections in Sedgefield and Ealing Southall. Voters are heading to the polls in English by-elections in Sedgefield and Ealing Southall.
A total of 23 candidates are standing in the two constituencies, previously both held by Labour.A total of 23 candidates are standing in the two constituencies, previously both held by Labour.
The Sedgefield contest was triggered by the resignation of ex-PM Tony Blair and Ealing Southall by the death of Piara Khabra, the UK's oldest MP, at age 82.The Sedgefield contest was triggered by the resignation of ex-PM Tony Blair and Ealing Southall by the death of Piara Khabra, the UK's oldest MP, at age 82.
Turnout may be helped by weather which is forecast to be warm and dry. Polls open at 0700 BST and close at 2200 BST. Turnout may be helped by the expected warm and dry weather. Polls opened at 0700 BST and will close at 2200 BST.
Sedgefield, in County Durham, was made vacant following the resignation of Mr Blair - on the same day he stepped down as prime minister - to become a Middle East peace envoy.Sedgefield, in County Durham, was made vacant following the resignation of Mr Blair - on the same day he stepped down as prime minister - to become a Middle East peace envoy.
He had been MP for the seat - which he held with a majority of 18,449 at the last general election - since 1983.He had been MP for the seat - which he held with a majority of 18,449 at the last general election - since 1983.
Oldest MPOldest MP
Ealing Southall, in west London, had been represented by Mr Khabra since 1992. He had a majority of 11,440 at the last election.Ealing Southall, in west London, had been represented by Mr Khabra since 1992. He had a majority of 11,440 at the last election.
According to the Met Office, Ealing Southall will be sunny on Thursday, with a top temperature of 23C/73F.According to the Met Office, Ealing Southall will be sunny on Thursday, with a top temperature of 23C/73F.
Meanwhile, Sedgefield is expected to see a maximum of 17C/63F and a mixture of sunshine and showers.Meanwhile, Sedgefield is expected to see a maximum of 17C/63F and a mixture of sunshine and showers.
The official list of candidates for Sedgefield is:The official list of candidates for Sedgefield is:
  • Stephen Gash, English Democrats - "Putting England First"
  • Paul Gittins, Independent
  • Tim Grainger, Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship"
  • Chris Haine, Green Party
  • Alan 'Howling Laud' Hope, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
  • Toby Horton, UK Independence Party
  • Graham Robb, Conservative Party
  • Norman Scarth, Anti-Crime Party
  • Andrew Spence, British National Party
  • Greg Stone, Liberal Democrat
  • Phil Wilson, Labour Party
      • class="bulletList">
    • Stephen Gash, English Democrats - "Putting England First"
    • Paul Gittins, Independent
    • Tim Grainger, Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship"
    • Chris Haine, Green Party
    • Alan 'Howling Laud' Hope, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
    • Toby Horton, UK Independence Party
    • Graham Robb, Conservative Party
    • Norman Scarth, Anti-Crime Party
    • Andrew Spence, British National Party
    • Greg Stone, Liberal Democrat
    • Phil Wilson, Labour Party
    The list for Ealing Southall is:The list for Ealing Southall is:
  • Nigel Bakhai, Liberal Democrats
  • John Sydney Cartwright, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
  • Sati Chaggar, English Democrats - 'Putting England First!'
  • Salvinder Singh Dhillon, Respect - Peace, Justice, Equality
  • Sarah Janet Edwards, Green Party
  • Kuldeep Singh Grewal, Independent
  • Tony Lit, David Cameron's Conservatives
  • Yakub Masih, Christian Party 'Proclaiming Christ's Lordship'
  • Jasdev Singh Rai, Independent
  • KT Rajan, UK Independence Party
  • Virendra Kumar Sharma, The Labour Party Candidate
  • Gulbash Singh, Independent
      • class="bulletList">
    • Nigel Bakhai, Liberal Democrats
    • John Sydney Cartwright, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
    • Sati Chaggar, English Democrats - 'Putting England First!'
    • Salvinder Singh Dhillon, Respect - Peace, Justice, Equality
    • Sarah Janet Edwards, Green Party
    • Kuldeep Singh Grewal, Independent
    • Tony Lit, David Cameron's Conservatives
    • Yakub Masih, Christian Party 'Proclaiming Christ's Lordship'
    • Jasdev Singh Rai, Independent
    • KT Rajan, UK Independence Party
    • Virendra Kumar Sharma, The Labour Party Candidate
    • Gulbash Singh, Independent
    The names of candidates and description of who they are standing for are as described on the returning officers' official lists.