2010 General Election
In August 2008, Clarke stated that he would stand against Labour as an independent at the next Parliamentary Election for Northampton South Constituency and did so on 6 May 2010. He polled fourth with 2,242 votes, significantly behind the three main parties' candidates, narrowly avoiding losing his deposit. His campaign cost over £8,000. It has been rumoured since the election that Clarke recognises he is unelectable as an Independent parliamentary candidate and will concentrate on retaining his position as a borough and county councillor. He lost his borough seat to Labour in 2011. The boundary of the constituency changed for the 2010 election with loss of some parts of the southern and western areas to the Daventry and the new South Northamptonshire constituency. The areas lost were generally be considered Conservative, thus increasing the possibility of Labour regaining the seat. However, it remained firmly Conservative with Clarke's intervention, having no effect whatsoever. Clarke had earlier said:
"...I think the only chance they had of winning went out of the window when they declared internal war on half the membership in 2005. It should be a safe Labour seat but I'll stand as an independent and I'll take on Brian Binley if they can't."
Labour's choice of official candidate was announced in November 2008 as Clyde Loakes, who was born and brought up in Northampton, and who went on to become leader of Waltham Forest council in northeast London .
Northampton Borough Council member for West Hunsbury 2007-2011, Paul Varnsverry was selected in October 2008 as the Liberal Democrat's prospective parliamentary candidate for Northampton South which was won by the Conservatives.
Read more about this topic: Tony Clarke (British Politician)
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