[J]ohn Woodcock has been officially confirmed as the Labour-Cooperative candidate for Barrow and Furness at the general election after members of the local community who he has supported during his time as an MP joined forces to sign his nomination papers.
The signatories represent a cross-section of people and causes John has championed as the local MP, including pensioners, shipyard workers, NHS campaigners and many more.
Marjorie Bazley, an Walney pensioner signed to support John after he helped access funding to help to travel hundreds of miles to visit her ill husband, and forced a change of practice resulting in more dementia sufferers being looked after closer to home.
Annnette Carmichael, the Broughton post office campaigner added her name after John led a successful campaign to save the post office from closure.
James Johnson, a former shipyard worker, showed his appreciation for John’s commitment to shipyard jobs by adding his name.
Gillian Grisedale, the community pastor at St Mark’s church signed after John worked with her on combating homelessness and supporting charitable work such as the famous yard bomb.
Shay McGuckin signed after John helped secure better access to mental health services for her son and other young people in Furness suffering with mental health conditions.
They were joined by health visitor Sarah Rushden, Elizabeth Kennedy who has been part of the campaign to keep giant pylons out of the Duddon valley, and Joan Hayes a community fundraiser.
John Woodcock said: “I am really touched that so many inspiring people I have worked with on community campaigns have come forward to sign my nomination papers.
“People know that a vote for me in the general election is a vote for a community MP who will always put Furness first, even when that causes controversy.
“Barrow and Furness needs a strong, independent, Labour voice in parliament fighting for us, not a Tory nodding dog who won’t stand up against the damage a landslide Conservative will inflict on essential local services like Furness General Hospital.”
