Mike met the Labour and Conservative candidates

A new MP will represent the voters of the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency after the May 6th election. This follows the sudden death of Labour MP Ashok Kumar. The two main rivals are among the youngest candidates in the country risking the tussle as being labelled a ‘baby-face campaign.’ Mike Morrissey met the Labour newcomer and his

Tory opponent. When Tom Blenkinsop knocks on voters’ doors as Labour candidate they see his youthful appearance and say: “Oh!” This is followed by a “Right!” Tom, 29, accepts that both he and main opponent

Tory Paul Bristow, 31, are among the youngest candidates in the General Election, but adds: “I bring new injection and life, am full of energy and ideas.” Promising to give the election a “really good go,” he

obviously hopes some of the “Ashok effect” will rub off from the previous MP Ashok Kumar, who died on March 15th.

He worked in the MP’s Guisborough office for six

years until leaving for the better-paid job of a regional officer with steel union Community at Middlesbrough. “The work ethic in our office has come from him. He always said this was a marginal constituency and I treat it as such. If the Tories gained a national seven per cent swing we would still cling on to our 8,000 majority. The hard work invested by Ashok in South Middlesbrough and East Cleveland would have a positive effect. If elected I would always put the interests of constituents first.” Tom Blenkinsop said he was working 12 hours a day

canvassing, like his predecessor. The Redcar blastfurnace being ‘mothballed’ by Indian-owned Corus was a big talking point. He had campaigned during the past year to keep it

open. This included the ‘excellent idea,’ partly his, of leasing land to other manufacturers to subsidise steelmaking during the current downturn. Asked why he was standing for Parliament, he said:

“You want to ‘change the world’ and the local area, especially in these hard times. This is my opportunity even if it comes tinged with sadness. I don’t think I would stand anywhere else.” Tom Blenkinsop was born at Marton where his

father is a retired estate agent, who had been a Conservative. “We still disagree when we talk over a meal.” His mother is a retired teacher. He was educated at the Newlands FCJ School and St Mary’s Sixth-form College, Middlesbrough. On MPs’ expenses, he said he would accept the

Kelly report recommendations and further reform. He promised to itemise his expenses on his website, if elected. Also to live in London when Parliament was sitting in an average-price hotel (rather than buy a flat, like Dr Kumar). He is married to Vicki, 30, a web designer with a

Stockton firm, and they live in a one-bedroomed flat in Balmoral Terrace, Saltburn. Asked if he was a churchgoing Christian, he said he

was a baptised Catholic and attended church with his parents and at Easter and Christmas. “We would probably raise children as Catholics though we have not yet had any,” he said. His out-of-work interests were the Boro and

philosophy, a university subject. His special interests politically were manufacturing, small businesses, tourism and defending “first-class” public services. About Saltburn, he said it was no longer a Tory

stronghold, but was a mixed-population town with young people, families and pensioners. “It’s my home. I love walking round the shops, seeing people like community activists and enjoying a pint in the Vic (Victoria pub).” Tory candidate Paul Bristow, 31, who has been nursing

the constituency for the past 18 months, was pleased to meet Mike during his hour of canvassing in Saltburn’s top estate at Hob Hill. While his Labour rival was in High Street, Loftus, he

confessed to his fondness for Saltburn - he and fiancée Samantha, a solicitor, would probably live in the resort if he wins on May 6th. “We’ll get married this time next year. We are waiting

until after the election. If I win we’ll probably move into the constituency. I like Saltburn. Meanwhile I have a rented a semi-detached house in Coatham Road, Redcar,” he said during a pause in the door-knocking. He admitted his youthful appearance sometimes caused

comment, but said he liked the remark: “It’s good to see young ones coming through.” Reaction from the public? “There is a lack of trust with

politicians. Voters say they are in it for themselves. But I don’t think people go into politics for the money. I’d be paid the £64,000 salary and would only claim expenses for travel and for what is allowed for setting up a second home, nothing for food and home furnishings.” On experience, he said he was cabinet member of

Hammersmith and Fulham Council dealing with £25 million- a-year of residents’ services like parks, libraries, street cleaning and refuse. “My family in York succeeded through hard work. My

father is a retired NHS nurse and manager of psychiatric services, now working for BUPA while my mother is a hospital sister. I work in marketing medical devices like pacemakers and spinal implants for Biva Medical, of Fulham, which I own with a partner.” Asked why he was standing for Parliament, Paul

Bristow said: “Before I went to university I had no thought of this ambition, but later I felt I had something to offer. I’ve an affinity with Teesside where my grandparents lived at South Bank - my grandfather was a hospital porter. This area needs a Conservative representative.” Describing himself as a Christian who was not a

regular worshipper, he said his special interests were health, the economy, especially manufacturing, and foreign affairs. Off duty, he enjoys watching York City play. “I’d still

love to play myself if I could find someone to play with.” If elected he would develop a soft spot for the Boro. He enjoyed reading biographies and is now reading William Hague’s William Pitt book. Asked to name his favourite newspaper, he said the

Non-league, a football paper, which covers York City. He also reads The Times plus local papers covering the constituency. Last time voting in the 2005 election was: Ashok

Kumar, Lab 21,945; Mark Brooks, Con 13,945; Carl Minns, LibDems 6,049; BNP 1,099; UK Independence 658. Labour majority: 8,000. Turnout: 60.8 per cent.

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