Tories target East Midlands “bloodbath”

The Conservative Party is said to be targeting high profile East Midlands Labour MPs’ seats in the forthcoming general election.

According to reports in The Guardian, Liz Kendall (Leicester West), Vernon Coaker (Gedling) and Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) are under threat from campaigners who believe they can turn the seats blue in June.

Kendall is a former Labour Party leadership candidate, while Greenwood is a former Transport Secretary and Coaker a former schools minister.

Coaker had a majority of just under 3,000, Greenwood just under 7,000 and Kendall just over 7,000.

One Tory MP told The Guardian: ““It’s going to be a bloodbath and Labour know it. “We’re going after people like Liz

Liz Kendall

Kendall, and I think we’ll give her a good run. Lilian Greenwood, Vernon Coaker will be gone as well.”

Another Midlands Tory MP is quoted as saying: “We are going to do very well in the East Midlands and the question is how well. Vernon Coaker is going to have to work very hard to keep that seat, even though he’s been there 20 years.

However, Greenwood has hit back, saying: “Greenwood said: “If the Tories want to come after Nottingham South they better be ready for a fight. People round here haven’t seen a Tory since 2015. I’m never complacent but my constituents know they need a strong and experienced Labour MP to stand up for them, their families and our city.”

Labour considers the East Midlands a bellwether for how it is doing nationally.