THE departure of John Woodcock from the running as Barrow’s next MP cranks the contest up another notch.

In 2017, just a couple of hundred votes got him over the line ahead of the Conservative challenger, although the Tories were on a high back then.

Given the shocks and upheaval seen in politics, predicting the outcome of the General Election is far from clear, locally and nationally.

In Barrow, December 12 looked set-up for a four-way tussle between Mr Woodcock, Labour, Conservatives and a Brexit Party candidate.

Last time, the Liberal Democrats came a lowly fourth and may not stand to give Labour a clear run at the remain vote.

And will a Brexit Party candidate make the difference in a town which voted leave by 60 per cent.

Local supporters of Jeremy Corbyn are likely to rally behind Mr Altree, but the Labour leader’s outspoken opposition to nuclear weapons will give voters here pause for thought.

The Conservatives will fancy their chances but again, Barrow voters may face a problem backing Boris and the Tories after 10 years of biting austerity.

Expect the Conservatives to send a high-profile face, if not Boris himself in the coming weeks, while Labour are certain to send up a big name to reassure shipyard workers.

It really is all to play for in Barrow.