THE former Labour defence secretary and member of the House of Lords is to visit Barrow and Furness as the general election enters its final few days.

John Hutton, who was the MP for Barrow between 1992 and 2010, will visit the area tomorrow in support of John Woodcock's re-election campaign.

Mr Hutton, now Lord Hutton, was a key part of Tony Blair's cabinet holding several important roles including defence secretary, during which time Mr Woodcock served as his special adviser.

He was elevated to the House of Lords in 2010 when he became Baron Hutton of Furness.

As the national ballot on June 8 fast approaches, Lord Hutton is travelling to the area to lend his voice to the Labour campaign.

He said the security of jobs at the shipyard is rightly in people’s minds as the June 8 ballot approaches, but voters can be confident that Trident renewal will go ahead as planned.

He said: “The people of Barrow and Furness can vote for John Woodcock with their hearts and their heads because jobs at the shipyard are secure.

“John shares the values of the vast majority of local people and they can be absolutely certain that he will be a champion for shipyard jobs."

Lord Hutton, who now works in the nuclear industry, added the fact that Barrow and Furness has had a Labour MP for more than 30 years speaks volumes for where most people’s sympathies lie.


Mr Woodcock said: "John Hutton served the people of Barrow and Furness faithfully as the MP and I am proud to have his support in this election.

"John knows the damage a landslide Tory government would do to areas like ours and how important it is to have a strong, independent Labour voice for the area rather than a Tory nodding dog."

Lord Hutton will meet Labour election campaign activists and councillors at the party’s Hartington Street headquarters shortly after 11am.

Mr Woodcock will then accompany him on a tour of Furness College – the funding for which Lord Hutton helped to secure during his time as MP.

Lord Hutton is to later meet with BAE Systems’ trade union conveners before completing his tour with a visit to Mr Woodcock’s Ulverston headquarters in Cavendish Street.

The other candidates standing in Barrow and Furness are: Simon Fell (Con), Loraine Birchall (Lib Dem), Rob O'Hara (Green), and Alan Piper (UKIP).

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