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John Prescott's successor selected

By John Hirst

John Prescott's successor selected

Karl Turner, a lawyer, has been selected to replace John Prescott as MP for Hull East.

More later.

UPDATE:

PRESCOTT'S SUCCESSOR: 'I'LL BUILD ON LEGACY'

Karl Turner has said he hopes to build on John Prescott's legacy after being chosen as his replacement as the Labour Party's parliamentary candidate for Hull East.

Mr Turner, a criminal defence lawyer, of Wawne Road, Sutton, won the race to succeed Mr Prescott at a secret ballot, as reported on the Mail's website yesterday.

He will now contest the next General Election as a Labour representative, when Mr Prescott stands down.

The 37-year-old was selected after several hours of speeches and ballots at the Freedom Centre in Preston Road, east Hull.

After the decision was made, Mr Turner told the Mail he was delighted.

He said: "I am honoured and privileged to have been selected by the members and I look forward to campaigning with them and current MP, John Prescott.

"John will be a formidable act to follow and has served the area with great pride and passion for almost 40 years.

"It's my aim to build on John's legacy and I will work to ensure Hull East remains a Labour constituency at the next General Election."

Mr Turner, the favourite before the voting was cast, beat off competition from Gary Wareing and Mr Prescott's son, David.

Of the 220 constituency members for the Labour Party in Hull East, 170 turned out to hear the seven candidates give five-minute speeches followed by a 20-minute question and answer session.

In the final round of voting, Mr Turner secured 85 votes to former city councillor Gary Wareing's 69 votes. David Prescott polled 27 votes in third place.

Chairman of the constituency party, Councillor Steve Brady said he was happy with the selection.

He said: "The party has chosen and I support their decision.

"Karl is a capable man and although you can't class anything as a given in this day and age, hopefully he will be the next representative for Hull East in Westminster".

John Prescott dynasty crumbles in Hull East

"The end of the Prescott era in Hull was in sight last night after his son and chief of staff both lost out to a local barrister in the fight to succeed him as the Labour candidate in the seat he represented for 38 years.

After a bitter contest in which Mr Prescott?s son, David Prescott, alleged that he had been smeared by his Labour enemies, Karl Turner, 37, was selected for Hull East after four rounds of voting".

Full post as published by prisonlawinsideout on March 17, 2008 (boomark / email).