ELECTION 2001: Empty Seats Go to White Male Candidates

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LABOUR LOYALISTS in working class St Helens are rebelling against plans to "parachute in" Tory defector Shaun Woodward.

Trade union bosses and party stalwarts are backing council leader Marie Rimmer in the selection battle. Many have warned they will not back Mr Woodward, despite behind-the-scenes string-pulling from the party leadership.

Failure to get Mr Woodward into the seat held by Gerry Bermingham, who retired suddenly last week, would be seen as a personal embarrassment for Tony Blair. But the north-west seat, where discontent is mounting, is really just a potent symbol of the wider backlash against moves to create a parliament in the Prime Minister's …