EXCLUSIVE: Gillian Merron Spotted In Lincoln

The former Labour parliamentarian for Lincoln, Ms Gillian Merron, was spotted earlier today in Lincoln. Ms. Merron who lost her Lincoln seat in the general election to Karl McCartney MP, Conservative (Lincoln), resurfaced on Guildhall Street in the centre of the city earlier today.

Quizzed on what life was now holding for the former minister now that she had left government and parliament she responded that she was 'looking for work', confirming other reports of her recent activities from other source.

Ms Merron also indicated that David Miliband, the shadow Foreign Secretary, had her support to become the next leader of the Labour Party and scotched Diane Abbotts chances of winning the leadership.

In all Ms Merron seemed to be in confident and positive spirits and her opponent had failed, by his own definition, of what he wanted to achieve by winning the seat with a bigger swing than that achieved by Martin Vickers MP, Conservative (Cleethorpes).

GE2010: Lincoln: Health Secretary Campaigns With Ministerial Colleague, Gillian Merron

Health Secretary, Andy Burnham paid a visit to Lincoln in a bid to boost Lincoln's incmbent parliamentarian and Minister of State for Public Health, Gillian Merron's re-election chances, the Lincolnshire Echo reports.

Mr. Burnham and Ms Merron spent time at Lincoln's Healthy Hub in Beaumont Fee before visiting the new endoscopy unit at Lincoln County Hospital.

The paper asked Mr. Burnham about the former chief executive of United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, Mr. Gary Walker, who claims the Government's obsession with targets is jeopardising patient safety.

Mr. Walker was sacked following a row with NHS East Midlands over missed targets and is now standing against Ms Merron as an independent candidate in the General Election.

Mr. Burnham said:

"Targets are essentially about people as they are about minimum standards that every patient and their family should be able to expect when they arrive at the door of the NHS.

"I believe the NHS needs national standards and the majority of NHS organisations around the country are achieving these and I believe everyone should.

"I don't place targets above patient safety
"It was not safe in the old days to have people waiting in A&E for seven, eight or nine hours and nor was it safe to wait for hospital operations for months on end."

Speaking to Ms. Merron on Guildhall Street in the City Centre yesterday Ms Merron indicated she thought she was in with a chance of keeping the seat, based on her record of hard work for the constituency.

GE2010: Lincoln: Health Minister to Face Sacked NHS Boss at Election

Ms Gillian Merron, Labour (Lincoln), Minister of State for Health, faces a new challenger to an already cowed field for the Lincoln seat at the coming General Election, widely expected to be on Thursday, 6th May 2010.

Mr. Gary Walker is putting himself to the public vote in the battle to become Lincoln's next parliamentarian. He was fired last month following a spat over missed NHS targets, Mr. Walker said it was the injustice he felt about this and being incensed by the MPs' expenses scandal that had spurred him into politics.


The Lincolnshire Echo report that the former chief executive of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust says he is more than a single-issue candidate.

"I think everyone's disillusioned with all party politics and I hope my standing shakes things up in Lincoln," said Mr Walker, who lives in Canwick.

"All the parties have got good policies, but if I had to place myself, I would be somewhere between the Tories and the Liberal Democrats.

"One of my major policies is health, which I know most about. When I was chief executive of the local hospitals, I created more than 400 jobs.

"Despite this, Lincoln has seen a decline in jobs and unemployment has doubled since 2008. That must change. We need to create a vibrant city and attract investment and support local business."

The declared candidates for the Lincoln Constituency at 2010 General Election are:

Mr. Ernest Coleman, English Democrat.
Mr. Karl McCartney, Conservative.
Ms Gillian Merron MP, Labour.
Cllr. Reg Shore, Liberal Democrat.
Mr. Nick Smith, United Kingdom Independence Party.
Mr. Gary Walker, Independent.
Rev. Robert West, British National Party.

GE2010: Lincoln: BNP Annouce A Priest As Candidate

The British National Party have announced that a clergyman is set to challenge incumbent Lincoln parliamentarian Ms Gillian Merron MP, Labour, in the forthcoming general election, widely expected to be on Thursday 6th May 2010.

Rev. Robert West, a former district councillor, was named as the party's prospective parliamentary candidate at a meeting of its North Kesteven branch which also saw Scopwick and Kirkby Green parish councillor Mike Clayton put forward as a candidate for the Sleaford and North Hykeham seat set to be vacated by retiring Douglas Hogg MP, Conservative.

The Lincolnshire Echo reports that Rev. West said he anticipated support from residents disillusioned by the current state of the country.

"There is so much wrong with Britain, and I think Lincoln is right in with the rest of the country in having concerns about family values, the lack of discipline in schools and the massive rise in crime – which is partly to do with immigration, but more a collapse in values in this country. I think the Bishop of Lincoln is a character who needs to be challenged to stand up for Christianity more because he's not doing enough."

Rev. West was ordained into the small Pentacostal sect the Apostolic Church more than three decades ago, and the paper reports, says he now has little to do with the ministry, but still practises christenings and marriage blessings. Lincoln is not his first attempt at gaining a parliamentary seat – the Holbeach resident last year received 2.7% of the vote in the Norwich North by-election.

"I know I'm not walking distance from the Cathedral, but I've visited Lincoln quite frequently as it's only an hour away – I'm not a foreigner."

The Lincolnshire Echo also report that Architect Cllr. Clayton said he was hopeful of garnering support from locals to go with, what he claimed was, a doubling of party membership in Lincolnshire in recent times.

"And I've seen a lot of support in Sleaford and North Hykeham. We are not just a protest vote."

But the candidacies have been met with apprehension by some of the city's minority groups.

Miss Una Thomas, of the Lincoln Afro Caribbean Society, said she couldn't understand why a political party like the British National Party existed, let alone why they would want to stand in such a diverse county.

"Why do they think they can win? "With them here, it could bring turmoil. Why can't they leave us to live in peace?"

The paper quotes Ms Merron as saying:

"In last year's local elections, people in Lincoln resoundingly rejected the BNP's policies of hatred and racism – with their candidates coming last in every ward that they stood."

The declared candidates for the Lincoln Constituency at 2010 General Election are:

Mr. Ernest Coleman, English Democrat.
Mr. Karl McCartney, Conservative.
Ms Gillian Merron MP, Labour.
Cllr. Reg Shore, Liberal Democrat.
Mr. Nick Smith, United Kingdom Independence Party.
Rev. Robert West, British National Party.

GE2010: Lincoln: Mixed Response To Lincoln's First General Election Debate

Mr. Jack Dobson at The Linc reports that there were mixed feelings towards the debate on higher education, held by Lincoln Students’ Union on Thursday, 11th February 2010 at the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre's Auditorum.

The Students' Union invited all the declared prospective parliamentary candidates to debate with students and academics.

• Ms Gillian Merron MP, Labour (Lincoln) - Minister of State for Public Health
• Mr. Karl McCartney, Conservative
• Cllr. Reg Shore, Liberal Democrat (Skellingthorpe & South Hykeham Division) and (Stow Ward) - Leader of the Opposition on West Lindsey District Council.

Right: The three candidates and panel chairman Mr. Ryan Blackburn. (Photo by: Dec Ackroyd) 

Mr. Dobson reports that while some praised it as a good opportunity to ask questions, others scorned it, saying the candidates avoided the main questions, and were left feeling disappointed.

Miss Siobhan Bligh is one of those left feeling frustrated and The Linc quote her as saying:

"I think it was a chance for the politicians to say an awful lot of rhetoric and avoid talking about policies – the chair could have done better in getting the candidates to answer questions."

Mr. Huseyin Kishi, a first-year journalism student, is reported to have said he was disappointed with the debate, and felt the 'MPs evaded questioning.' While Mr. Nick Carey, a second-year politics student, is reported to have said:

"All three candidates seemed to be pathologically incapable of answering questions."

Mr. Chris Charnley, the Students' Union’s President, said:

"It was excellent that students were given the opportunity to ask questions – it was a healthy debate with great questions and a great turnout too."

Ms Merron declared:

"It was really worthwhile. The students weren’t afraid to ask difficult questions."

Mr. Ryan Blackburn, Vice President for Education and Democracy at Bishop Grosseteste University College Students’ Union, who chaired the debate. was reported to have said:

"It was a wonderful opportunity for students to question their parliamentary candidates

"I think a lot of questions were led away from the main subject."

The agreed format of the deabte was that each candidate had five minutes to give an introduction and explain their stance and their party’s stance on higher education.

Mr. McCartney was first and immediately attacked Labour’s efforts to date, suggesting that they had failed education by saying

"some children at 16 still can’t read.

"Three hundred thousand people are projected to not get a place at university this year".

Mr. McCartney specified to the audience that the Conservative Party's policy is to remove the cap on students in universities and said he was 'worried with how education is currently going'. He added:

"I enjoyed university, I think it should be available to anyone that wants to do it."

Ms Merron followed and defended her party’s contribution to education in Lincoln so far, stating that:

"Over one hundred million pounds has been invested by the government into the university since 1997."

Ms Merron is reported to have apologised for not being able to sign the pledge due to an independent investigation in education spending being made, but said the current system is 'much fairer than it used to be'.

"I don’t want to see university only for those who can afford it, and the door slammed in the face of others. That’s why I oppose the Tories plan to give discounts to wealthy graduates who pay their loans back early. – This election is going to be a real choice,"

Cllr. Shore, Mr. Dobson notes, started by painting a grim picture.

"We are here against the depressing background of a failing economy – the impact on young people was far reaching, and the future of the nation lies in your hands."

He condemned Labour for causing the deficit in university placements, and the Conservatives for not opposing their policies, suggesting that their own education policies do not differ.

Cllr. Shore, The Linc says, spoke to the audience about how students will be burdened with debt for almost their whole lives, and will believe 'blindly' that the Conservatives will 'rescue them'. Cllr. Shore went on to say that the biggest part of the Liberal Democrats’ budget would be education, and vow to remove tuition fees, as they have in Scotland - Although this is no longer the party's policy as it is unaffordable and surely the NHS (at over £100 billion pounds a year) will be the the main part of the UK's budget for years to come.

The floor was opened for questions, where Mr. Ernest Charles, English Democrats, ambushed the debate by beginning a long speech of his own. When asked by Mr. Blackburn to make a question, he retorted:

"Okay, but it will be a very long question"

He continued with his speech.

The candidates were pressed with a variety of questions. Aaron Porter, Vice-President for the National Union of Students, attacked the candidates with questions, accusing Mr. McCartney of a 'lack of contribution to the discussion and a general lack of policy ideas'. He also assaulted the Liberal Democrats for 'u-turning' on their free education policy, and Labour for allowing Lord Mandelson to sacrifice public services and education so willingly.

Lincoln Students' Union went on the attack, gunning for Ms Merron, as both Mr. Chris Charnley and Mr. Dan Derricott, who is a student officer, pressed her for answers to the potential bursary cuts. Ms Merron is reported to have skillfully dodged answering the queston, much to Mr. Derricott’s evident annoyance.

After the ninety minute session, the candidates were given two minutes to make a closing speech, where Ms Merron said:

"I think this debate has shown the need to be realistic – I would never promise something that couldn’t be achieved."

Mr. McCartney, true to form, continued to attack Labour with more statistics, and Cllr. Shore talked about his worries for the future under a Labour or Conservative government - so nothing nuanced from any of them.

Mr. Blackburn finished the debate by declaring it:

"A wonderful sign that students here want to get involved, want to get talking and want to ask the diffucult questions."

"This is our country, these are our politicians, it’s our vote and we need a government we can trust. So get out there, ask the questions, find the answers, and make an informed decision."

Audio from this event is included in The Linc's weekly podcast Week In Review available here

GE2010: Lincoln: Gillian Merron's Campaign Heads Off The Tracks

Ms Gillian Merron MP, Labour (Lincoln), Minister of State for Public Health, has suffered a set-back as her campaign has gone off the rails with news that the arrival of a new, faster, direct rail link between Lincoln and London will be six months late.

The Government's transport secretary Lord Andrew Adonis this week announced a proposed new timetable for quicker services along the East Coast Main Line to run from May 2011 into London King's Cross – including from Lincoln. Seven trains a day were due to run each way between Lincoln and the capital from December 2010 at two-hourly intervals. However, Ms Merron's office has now confirmed that a six-month delay will prevent the service beginning on schedule. Ms Merron's office blamed 'problematic timetable negotiations between train companies'.

Chairman of the Lincolnshire branch of Railfuture, Mr. David Harby, has said the wait is disappointing.

"I am confident the Department for Transport, the train operators and Network Rail really are on line to do it.

"What I am not confident about is the effect of any future Treasury cuts where perhaps places like Lincoln may get chopped off."

Lord Adonis and Ms Merron have given their assurances that the service will arrive in May 2011.

Ms Merron said:

"I can give a categorical assurance that a Labour Government will deliver, in May next year, the direct and regular train service between Lincoln and London, which I have long campaigned for."

The King's Cross service will be a quicker alternative – taking one hour fifty-seven minutes – to the direct train link provided by East Midlands Trains, which goes to St. Pancras via Nottingham and takes two hours and fifty minutes, introduced in December 2008.

Ms Merron will not be pleased at this delay, her literature has featured heavily with stories about Lincoln-London train services and provides a much needed open-goal for her opponent Mr. Karl McCartney, Conservative.

Her parliamentary report from 2008 led with the title 'Lincoln to London Full Steam Ahead'.

GE2010: Lincoln: Girl's Aloud Star Backs City MP on Risk of Sunbeds

Ms Gillian Merron MP, Labour (Lincoln Constituency) and Minister of State for Public Health has been interviewed by Girls Aloud star Miss Nicola Roberts for a BBC3 programme  entitled 'What would you do to get a tan?' on the dangers and health damage that sunbeds can cause, expected to be aired in February.

The documentary looks at the culture of tanning particularly amongst young people and the extremes they will go to in order to obtain the perfect tan, and the terrible damage that sunbeds can do.

Lincoln's MP and the Government are backing a Private Members Bill, which will have its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday, 29th January 2010, calling for tanning salons to be banned from allowing under 18s to use sunbeds.

Gillian Merron said:

"It was good to meet Nicola and get her backing for the Bill which will help get the message across to young people about the terrible damage that sunbeds can do."

"I know that Nicola's documentary takes this issue seriously and it was obvious from our conversation how important it is to her to educate young people about the dangers of sunbed use."

"Banning under 18's from using sunbeds is about protecting children from the danger of skin cancer, which affects evermore people and claims too many lives every year.

"It's a shocking fact that children are allowed to use sunbeds, risking burns and cancer because they want a tan.

"The scientific evidence, and organisations like Cancer Research UK bear this out, and I am determined to take action to save lives."

GE2010: Lincoln: Karl McCartney Angry at Lincolnshire Echo's Edits

Related content 'Echo Readers to Quiz Parliamentary Candidates', 'GE2010: Lincoln: Reg Shore U-Turns and Waffles.', 'GE2010: Lincoln: 'Karl McCartney is On The Attack.' and 'GE2010: Lincoln: Gillian Merron Knows Her City'.

An angry Mr. Karl McCartney, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Lincoln, has hit out at the Lincolnshire Echo over edits that were made to his responses to questions poised by readers last week.

It is understood that Mr. McCartney is in discussion with the papers editorial team.

Reproduced below are the answers Mr. McCartney issued to the paper. Based on these answer I have revised Mr. McCartney score to 8/10 pegging him with the emolient answers given by Ms Merron.

Jonathan Holmes asks: “As a student, I am struggling to survive on the financial support available. Would any of you support a proposed rise in tuition fees at a time when many people are struggling to afford university in the first place?”


As a Conservative, I believe every person who could benefit from a university education should have the opportunity to do so if they wish.

But the proportion of young people going to university has scarcely changed in the last eight years. At the current rate, it would take Labour over a century to meet their 50 per cent target. Aiming for such numbers has already had an adverse effect on standards within universities. Anyone can recognise higher fees have brought benefits to universities but we need to ensure they are providing a better student experience in return. The Conservative Party has called on the Labour Government to start a full review of the higher education sector and tuition fees now, not in two years time. But it is only right that those who benefit from higher education should meet some of the cost of their degree.

Keith Bean asks: “What is your position on fox hunting? Are you for or against?”

I am very aware the current Labour MP for Lincoln is proud of the 700 hours of parliamentary time and the expense her and her Labour Party have spent in Government coming up with this flawed law. It may be a priority for her and her party but there are more important issues for the people of Lincoln, and our nation in these difficult times.

Not one fox has been saved by their legislation – it is bad legislation and should be repealed. There are much more important issues that any Government has the duty to deal with. It’s not an issue that pre-occupies those in Lincoln who have lost jobs; who serve or have families in the armed forces; who worry about the levels of service our NHS will be able to offer in Lincolnshire, who want the best for their children and see so many children leaving Lincoln every morning to be educated.

Mr P Rives asks: “Past articles in the Echo have said heavy rail freight is to be diverted through Lincoln. The High Street will have to be closed to traffic and even pedestrians must use a bridge or an underpass. If elected will the candidates oppose this madness by every means possible?”

As one of the many residents of Lincoln who has been held up on countless occasions by the rail barriers, I would of course want to minimise the delays caused by freight trains travelling through the city centre during the day.

I also realise the whole transport system in Lincoln is seriously overloaded. However, being realistic, Network Rail as an operator of the track and infrastructure of the railways unfortunately has carte blanche to do what it likes.

A re-instated footbridge would of course be helpful, especially as the road underpass/subway at the junction of Wigford Way, St. Mary’s Street and High Street often floods and is then closed to pedestrians. That would imply any rail underpass would suffer the same.

Whoever Lincoln’s MP is, they need to work with council and business leaders in the county to help solve the problematic rail, road and other transport infrastructure issues that beset Lincoln and Lincolnshire.

Penny Kemp asks: “Would you vote to get rid of the minimum wage?”

Having experienced working at the lower end of the economic scale in my teenage years and early 20s, I am pleased many workers of all ages in similar situations are no longer taken advantage of.

However, this Labour Government’s record is woefully poor and disheartening. Figures from early 2009 show the number of people paid less than the minimum wage has doubled from 248,000 in 2005 to 445,000 in 2008.

Dave Hansell asks: “Do you think MPs should be allowed to have second jobs?”

Yes I do for many reasons. If you stop MPs from having second jobs, then who would run the Government machine? If any MP is good enough to be able to perform their duties as a constituency MP, and also be a part of the Governmental system as a Minister, then why shouldn’t backbenchers also have a second role, as long as it does not directly infringe on their role as an MP?

If we take the example of many on the Government benches currently – are we all happy that there are a large number of MPs – and Ministers – in this Parliament who have never had an ‘outside politics’ job, and hence know nothing of the outside world beyond Oxbridge (or granted occasionally other universities), a Think Tank, research assistant to a Labour MP or as a political or union organiser?

Surely we would want the make-up of all the political parties and the whole of the House of Commons to be a bit more representative of the real world. Hence, any MP who has outside interests should be welcomed rather than castigated.

Doug West asks: “What is the candidate’s party policy on concessionary bus travel for the over-60s?”

I would like to see greater freedom of travel for the retired over 60s but this has to be wholly, or at least majorly, funded by the grant made available by central government.

The Freedom Pass scheme created by the Conservative Mayor for London is one of the most comprehensive concessionary fares schemes of its kind for older and disabled people in the country and one that would be a tremendous help to pensioners in Lincoln and Lincolnshire if it could be replicated in our County and across the Country.

Will Armstrong asks: “If you could be any cabinet minister, which one would you be and why?”

I am well aware that there are many able Conservative MPs already in Parliament, and I am hopeful that later this year I will be one of many other talented MPs to join them. Of course if I were the Cabinet Minister with the remit of Transport I would hope to steer the Department to providing benefits in the Transport system for Lincoln and Lincolnshire and the wider region, much like Hull enjoys a direct rail service to London courtesy in no small way to the former Labour Deputy Prime Minister being a Member representing Hull.

But I will be pre-occupied initially, if I am lucky enough to be elected, to ensure I am returned for a second term as the MP for Lincoln. Only by continuing as an MP for Lincoln will I be able to put Lincoln first, and if able, perhaps progress up the ranks in Westminster.

Seb Thomas asks: “There are plans in place for an eastern bypass but I don’t think this will solve the nightmare that is Lincoln’s road network. How will you try and make sure the city gets its fair share of funding and its infrastructure can be radically improved?”

I believe that one of the roles of an MP is to adopt an overarching approach to difficult issues such as the transport network and to ensure that their Constituency receives their fair share of funding. Our City’s transport infrastructure should be radically improved and new initiatives such as park and ride/sail considered.

Other ideas I have discussed with various parties include improvements to the western bypass and the current roundabout structures plus the A15 and other major routes. I have also previously made known my incredulity that any eastern bypass would have roundabout junctions rather than flyovers or underpasses and that it would not be extended to join the A46.

Abdul Majid asks: “The Public and Commercial Services Union is concerned over further privatisation of the civil service. Where do you stand on privatising public services?”

I am not against privatisation in sectors of the economy where it is appropriate. In certain geographic areas, the economies of scale of amalgamating and privatising a public service can produce vast benefits in terms of level of service as well as economic savings.

GE2010: Lincoln: Gillian Merron Knows Her City

Update to 'Echo Readers to Quiz Parliamentary Candidates'. Related content 'GE2010: Lincoln: Reg Shore U-Turns and Waffles.' and GE2010: Lincoln: 'Karl McCartney is On The Attack.'

In Thursday's Lincolnshire Echo Cllr. Reg Shore (Liberal Democrat) had his opportunity to respond to questions from the paper's readership as a candidate for the Lincoln Constituency at the next general election, on Friday Mr. Karl McCartney (Conservative) had his answers published. Today the glare of analysis focuses on the incumbent, Ms Gillian Merron MP (Labour), Minister of State for Public Health.

The first question, about raising student tuition fees, is answered, frankly, quite badly. Ms Merron begins by talking about an independent review and taking to students:

"There is an independent review... currently looking at this very issue which I've discussed with students and their student union representatives in Lincoln.

"A rise in tuition fees is not a foregone conclusion and it would be wrong to pre-empt the finding of an independent review."

Ms Merron concludes using a party soundbite:

"I believe in the principle and the practice that the opportunity to go to university should be open to the many, not just the privileged few."

Unfortunately for Ms Merron her voting record tells a different story and shows that she supported university top up fees 92.9% of the time.

The second question is about fox hunting, Ms Merron has a 100% record of voting in favour of the Hunting Bill which made the hunting of wild mammals with dogs prohibited. Ms Merron says:

"I am 100 per cent against this barbaric so-called 'sport' and voted to bring an end to it five years ago."

A clear, simple and straight-forward answer. Good. She goes on to criticise 'the Tories' declaring the repealing of the act to be 'one of their top priorities, which is probably unnecessary, incumbents should try and rise above the herd of those who have aspirations to their jobs, secondly what her opponents may or may not do is unnecessary - you do not need to outline the other sides policy, thirdly if fox hunting is the main swing issue for a voter her clear policy position will be enough. In my experience most people who are against fox hunting care deeply about it, those who participate also care deeply and then those in the middle who would not rate it a priority.

The third question, regarding rail freight through the city, Ms Merron answers concisely, with empathy and show a genuine grasp of the problem and solutions. She also promises to 'have some news soon' - so I guess we will have to wait and see.

In the fourth question Penny Kemp asks whether Ms Merron would vote 'to get rid of the minimum wage?' Ms Merron responds:

"Absolutely not. I have long believed in, and have actively worked over many years for, the national minimum wage - which was introduced by Labour and opposed by the Conservatives.

"It has been one of the most important things we have done in government and I was proud to speak up for it in parliament, as one of the MPs who made sure it became legislation."

In the fifth question she echos Cllr. Shore's view and criticises the view of Mr. McCartney on parliamentarians having second jobs, she says:

"I have never had a second job outside Parliament and I do not believe that MPs should do so.

"Being a Member of Parliament, along with the additional responsibilities that all MPs take on such as chairing select committees or being ministers, is a full time job - in the public interest.

"MPs seeking an extra private income by having an additional job in their own financial interest, not the public interest, cannot do justice to their constituents."

Responding to the following question about concessionary bus travel for the over-60s Ms Merron says she is 'proud' of the scheme the government introduced in 2008 and that all people over 60 (and some eligible disabled) can use buses across the country for free. Unfortunately Ms Merron conveniently forgets the problems this has caused for local authorities in Lincolnshire, when the scheme did not provide travel before 9:30am and ultimately has only been made 24-hour by councils chipping in. Bus companies too don't fully approve of the system which in some cases values a concessionary traveller at a third of any other adult.

Asked what position in the Cabinet Ms Merron would like to hold she responds:

"Secretary of State for Health. The NHS is our country's best-loved public service and Labour's proudest achievement. I will always stand up for it."

Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State for Health should watch out!

Asked about the eastern bypass Ms Merron states that Lincoln has received significant government investment in the roads. Then the clanger:

"I brought together key local players to secure the future introduction of a direct, speedy, and regular Lincoln-to-London train service."

Forgetting that under her time in the ministry of transport Lincoln lost it's direct service to London!

Finally Ms Merron addresses the issue of privatisation of the Civil Service and says that there are 'some circumstances' where there are benefits to using 'outside expertise to improve delivery of services'. Not the ringing endorsement that a union, such as the Commercial Service Union would be looking for.

Nevertheless, a polished performance by Lincoln's Gillian Merron MP, demonstrating a decent knowledge of the city, it's residents and the issues. A final score of 8/10 - beating Mr. McCartney's 7/10 and Cllr. Shore's 3/10.

GE2010: Lincoln: Echo Readers To Quiz Parliamentary Candidates

The Lincolnshire Echo will begin a series of articles putting questions to candidates standing to become the next member of parliament for the Lincoln Constituency following the forthcoming General Election.

In what the paper describes as 'the tightest political battle' for the Lincoln seat 'in more than a decade' in today's Lincolnshire Echo questions from readers will be answered by the candidates of the three main parties who are looking to secure the seat at the polls.

Current incumbent, Ms Gillian Merron MP (Labour), Minister of State for Public Health, will be joined in the paper's 'Question Time' series by Mr. Karl McCartney (Conservative) and Cllr. Reg Shore (Liberal Democrat), Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on West Lindsey District Council representing Stow Ward and County Councillor for the Skellingthorpe and Hykeham South Division (which is part of the Lincoln Constituency).

Cllr. Shore will be the first to answer questions from Echo readers in today's paper followed by Mr. McCartney on Friday and Ms Merron on Saturday.

Ms Merron replaced Conservative, Kenneth Carlisle MP, in the 1997 General Election and was one of the 'Blair Babes'. She secured a landslide victory in which she gained 25,563 (54.9%) votes versus a Conservative vote of 14,443 (31%); which gave Ms Merron a respectable majority of 11,130.

In the 2001 General Election, Ms Merron's majority dipped to 8,420 as Conservative candidate Cllr. Mrs. Christine Talbot secured a similar percentage vote, 31.2% to Labour's 53.9%.

In the 2005, Mr. McCartney reduced the Labour MP's majority to 4,614. The Conservative vote was up slightly to 12,110 (32.9%) whilst Labour's vote droped slightly to 16,724 (45.4%).

Lincoln is Conservative target seat eighty-three according to ukpollingreport.com.

Electoral Calculus, which analyses opinion polls and electoral geography, is currently predicting that Conservaitve candidate Mr. McCartney will secure 42.9% of the vote in 2010, whilst Ms Merron is expected to finish second with 35%. Cllr. Shore would come third with 14% of the vote. Interestingly they predict a near four percent increase (from 3.94%) to 8.05% of the vote for other parties. In the 2005 General Election the United Kingdom Independence Party fielded the only forth party candidate. However where this notional eight percent would go if, as currently, no other parties were on the ballot is unknown; but could offer some hope for the embattled Ms Merron.

Lincoln Constituency 2005 General Election
Notional Result*

Labour: 17,642 (43.8%), Conservative: 13,798 (34.3%), Liberal Democrat: 7,319 (18.2%), Other: 1,477 (3.7%). Giving Labour a majority of 3,844 (9.6%).

Candidates for the 2010 General Election

Ms Gillian Merron MP, Minister of State for Public Health (Labour), Mr. Karl McCartney(Conservative) and Cllr. Reg SHore (Liberal Democrat).

*Figures based on details available on ukpollingreport.com.

Gillian Merron Surprise Appearance on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two

Much to the surprise of many no doubt Gillian Merron MP (Lincoln) appeared on tonight's BBC 2 'It Takes Two' - the sister show of the BBC's highly acclaimed Strictly Come Dancing.

Gillian Merron appears in prime time on BBC 2's 'It Takes Two' about twenty minutes into the show commenting on the government's Dance4Life inititive.

The Minister of State for Public Health recently launched a nationwide government campaign to get 100,00 more people active through dance.

The Department of Health’s 'Dance Champions' Group, including Arlene Phillips - a former judge on Strictly Come Dancing who left earlier in the year and was replaced, controversially by Alisha Dixson - former Come Dancing presenter Angela Rippon, Capital Radio’s Lisa Snowden and Strictly Come Dancing pro Darren Bennett, joined with Gillian Merron to announce a nationwide tour to get the country dancing in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

The City MP spoke of her experience in joining Lincoln's Park Street Age Concern's 'line dancing' class, to illustrate how dance can bring people together and improve fitness and flexibility for all ages.

Gillian Merron said:

"Our Dance Champions are some of the best known and leading talents of the dance world, but you don’t have to be a professional to enjoy dancing and feel the positive effect it can have on your health.

"People of all ages and abilities can get active to music and have a lot of fun too.

"Park Street Age Concern's 'line dancing' class is a perfect example of how everyone of every ability can get involved, and I was pleased to launch today's campaign using this lesson from Lincoln.

"The Chief Medical Officer recommends that adults do 30 minutes of physical activity at least five times a week, but over 27 million of us don’t manage it. With the leadership of the dance champions, we want to capture the national enthusiasm for dance and get at least 100,000 more adults active through dance in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.

"The Dance Champions will help to make Dance4Life 'come to life' for thousands of people across the country"

Certainly she has stolen a march on Conservative parliamentary hopeful, Karl McCartney in terms of publicity by bagging a few moments in the prime time evening slot show. Karl had previously managed to generate a full front page of the Lincolnshire Echo earlier in the year when he appeared with shadow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt outlining potential plans for the Lincoln Racecourse on Carholme Road - an achievement that not even Ms. Merron has managed in her twelve year career. Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Reg Shore has also been getting some publicity for his campaign against Bernard Theobald's leadership of West Lindsey District Council and investigations into possible fraud and mismanagement in the planning department.

Chance Encounter with Lincoln MP Gillian Merron

Just bumped into Lincoln's own Gillian Merron MP outside Lincoln Central Station, on her return from the Labour Party Conference in Brighton.

She seemed a little flustered, tired, but nevertheless in positive spirits.

She asked how I was and I informed her I was getting my ticket for Manchester next week, she wished wished me well and I reciprocated. She's a genuninely classy lady.