The battle for Birkenhead is well and truly on with two Wirral Labour MPs setting out their stalls in the hope of representing the expanded constituency.
Earlier this week, Wirral South MP Alison McGovern revealed that she would be putting her name forward for selection for the Birkenhead seat, with her own constituency set to be abolished ahead of the next General Election.
Boundary changes will see Wirral South split up into neighbouring constituencies and will reduce the number of Parliamentary representatives in Wirral from four to three.
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Ms McGovern's announcement of challenging for Birkenhead has set up a Labour on Labour clash with Mick Whitley, who represents the seat in its current form. He confirmed this week he intends to stand again in Birkenhead.
Matters were complicated further yesterday when Wirral West Labour MP Margaret Greenwood said she would be stepping down ahead of the next election, freeing up a Wirral seat. But while Mr Whitley's team urged Ms McGovern to aim for Wirral West instead, she appears committed to challenging for the new Birkenhead ward, which will include her home.
Both MPs have now upped the ante, producing articles and videos to back up their fight for the Birkenhead seat. Which is likely to be a safe Labour seat at the next election.
Writing for the Labour List website, Mr Whitley appeared to take a swipe at Ms McGovern, who is currently a member of the shadow cabinet and could be in line for a position in a future Labour government.
He said: "No two constituencies are the same. The issues facing Birkenhead are different to those facing more affluent areas in the south and west of our borough, and require a fundamentally different approach.
"As the MP for Birkenhead, I’ve worked constructively with Labour’s frontbenches but I’ve never aspired for ministerial office myself. I know that Birkenhead needs a constituency MP who can dedicate all of their energy towards the needs of their constituency and constituents."
He also said is 'surprised and disappointed' to see Labour's National Executive Committee allow the contest for Birkenhead to take place. He added: "My friend Margaret Greenwood's decision to stand down at the next election means there is no reason for two sitting Labour MPs to be pitted against each other in Wirral."
For her part, Ms McGovern has produced a video, shared from her twitter account, outlining her credentials for the Birkenhead nomination. The clip features images of Ms McGovern campaigning in Wirral as well as pictured with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and current Labour leader Keir Starmer.
In the clip, the MP states: "I always knew I wanted to fight for my home, because Tory neglect failed us and a Labour government helped to put it right. This place has shaped me and I want to continue the fight as part of the next Labour government."
She added: "I am determined to keep fighting for what matters and what matters to me is the Wirral. That's why I'm asking to be your candidate in the new, bigger Birkenhead constituency."
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