MORE than 20 hopeful politicians had joined the race for the Labour Party nomination for a rock solid Labour seat as the deadline passed last night.
But speculation that Labour's national HQ in Millbank, London, might "parachute in" ex-Tory MP Shaun Woodward - who has defected to Labour - to the Durham North seat, came to nothing.
The constituency, which includes Stanley and Chester-le-Street, is currently held by veteran Giles Radice who won a majority of 26,299 and is to retire at the next General Election.
Hot favourite to win the nomination is senior GMBU official and leading Newcastle city councillor Kevan Jones.
The local Labour Party will not release the names of hopefuls until Monday, but other prominent contenders include Durham County Councillor for the Stanley area Keith Murray-Hetherington and Newcastle city councillor Sally Young
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