Blears saves political career
Friday, 19 June 2009 12:00 AM
By politics.co.uk staff
Hazel Blears has survived attempts to have her deselected, following a meeting of her constituency party in Salford.
The former communities secretary went in through a side door after the street outside was full of protestors and union members holding placards callinjg for her to go.
"There was a full, frank, open, honest and comradely debate of no confidence in Hazel as candidate for the next general election," John Cullen, constituency party chairman, told the BBC.
"When the vote was taken the motion was substantially defeated and so we move on from here."
Ms Blears said she was "very, very grateful".
She caused consternation among party members when she resigned on during the voting for local and European elections, and hours before PMQs, while wearing a broach saying: 'Rocking the Boat'.
"I am at a loss sometimes to know how I got to this place, but what I've had tonight is the first chance to explain properly to my party members," Ms Blears said last night.
"They've not only accepted my explanation, they've rallied behind me.
"I also heard tonight from party members that events of a few weeks do not wipe out 30 years of a record in local and national politics, fighting and being a champion for some of the poorest people in our country."
She continued: "Now I've got a chance to rebuild and reinvigorate my politics a little bit about reconnecting with the people."
Thirty-three opposed the no confidence motion and 12 voted in favour of it. One voter abstained.
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