Morrice joins race to replace ousted Labour MP at election

Published on Wednesday 1 July 2009 09:57

LABOUR councillor Graeme Morrice today threw his hat into the ring to replace MP Jim Devine as the party's candidate for the Livingston seat at the next election.

Mr Devine's de-selection by the Labour Party has sparked a race to be his replacement, and Broxburn Councillor Morrice is hoping to get the nod to stand.

The selection process by the Livingston local Constituency Labour Party (CLP) is still ongoing and will be finalised in the autumn. Potential candidates will canvas support from organisations affiliated with the local branch, such as trade unions, before a shortlist is drawn up. Each member of the CLP will then vote for their preferred candidate to stand at the next election.

Mr Morrice said today: "I have been pleasantly surprised at the number of people throughout West Lothian who have been in touch to suggest that I go for it.

"As a serving local councillor for 22 years and as leader of West Lothian Council during its most successful period, I believe I would have the experience needed."

Neil Findlay, a Labour councillor in Fauldhouse, has declared no interest in becoming an MP, saying: "

I want to keep my feet on the ground and my perspective on life – these are things that appear lost to politicians."

Mr Devine's de-selection by Labour's "star chamber" came after allegations he had submitted a claim for rewiring his London flat which bore a bogus VAT number and the name of a company which did not exist.

Questions have also been raised regarding the whereabouts of shelving and joinery work worth 2,326 said to have been carried out by the landlord of his local pub.

Mr Devine has previously denied any wrongdoing.

One local Labour activist said: "If anyone can win this seat for Labour I think Graeme could because he has been a tremendous ambassador for the party."

Senior Labour sources are confident they can retain the Livingston seat at the next election despite the recent difficulties, but the party's majority is dwindling.

Mr Devine took the seat over after Robin Cook died in 2005 when the former foreign secretary had a 13,097 majority.

But that lead was cut to just 2,680 at the by-election later that year and Angela Constance won the Livingston seat for the SNP at Holyrood two years ago.

Bathgate Labour councillor John McGinty, who was on the shortlist when Jim Devine won the seat, has also expressed his interest. Other favourites are Kevin Lindsay, Scottish officer for rail union ASLEF, and Fauldhouse councillor Cathy Muldoon.

Another possible candidate, Livingston councillor Willie Dunn, has also ruled himself out. He said: "My young son Joshua has signed with Hibs so I would shudder at the thought of being away from home in London most of the week."

John Duncan, a former aide to Robin Cook who previously said he was "considering" running, was unavailable for comment.