General Election: Can history-maker keep Burnley blue?

If Antony Higginbotham was shocked when he became Burnley's first Conservative MP for more than a century in 2019, he will be absolutely flabbergasted if he keeps his seat.

But, as the poster boy for Boris Johnson's demolition of Labour 'Red Wall' of Northern constituencies, he will have to do his very best in the current General Election campaign.

He is facing one of Sir Keir Starmer's bright new Labour candidates in Oliver Ryan and gains in May's local polls showed a party getting its act together.

Mr Higginbotham's only hope as he defends a slim 2019 majority of 1,352 lies in the rebellion over the national Labour party's stance on the Israel/Hamas conflict that saw council leader Afraisiab Anwar and several others quit the party.

Mr Ryan is one of eight candidates for the slightly enlarged seat with two wards from neighbouring Pendle.

They include from Reform UK, the Workers Party of Britain and the Independents, not forgetting 80-year-old Liberal Democrat Gordon Birtwistle who was the constituency's MP from 2010 to 2015.

Antony Higginbotham

On why he should be re-elected, Mr Higginbotham said: "In 2019 Burnley made a historic decision and voted for change after decades of being represented by the Labour Party.

"Since then, we’ve started to turn the tide.

"Working with local businesses, organisations, and residents we have seen major investment across the area: Padiham’s flood defences, Newtown Mill, Burnley College, extra police with hotspot police patrols, Burnley General, businesses expanding and more. But there’s always more to do.

"At this election, I’m asking for residents to back me as their local champion."

Oliver Ryan is Labour's hopeful

Mr Ryan said, with an eye to the threat posed by old MP Mr Birtwistle, said: "I live in Cliviger.

"After 14 years of the Tories (five of those in 'austerity coalition' with the Lib Dems let us not forget) our country needs change, nothing works anymore.

"Our health service is in a critical state, waiting lists are at an all-time high, ambulance response times aren't good, we haven't got enough police officers, our housing needs insulation and retrofitting and our schools need teachers.

"The cost of living and energy bills are crippling families and because of Liz Truss's 'Mortgage Bombshell' more people are facing increasing mortgage costs.

"Labour has a plan to restore our public services, get bills down for good, get more police on our streets and get the NHS working as it should."

Gordon Entwistle isn't finished yet, even at 80 years old

Mr Birtwistle said: "I have a proven track record of serving the community. My focus on economic development has led to job creation and investment in local businesses.

"I am committed to improving healthcare services.

"I advocate for better education and vocational training opportunities ensuring a brighter future for young people.

"My strong stance on environmental issues promises sustainable development."

Jack Launer is the Green candidate

Green Party candidate Jack Launer said: "Despite having worked away for three decades. Burnley never left my heart, and I returned four years ago.

"I want to have more affordable and quality homes in Burnley. We need to attract our residents back into town with exciting events.

"Voting Green isn't a protest vote, it is a vote to protect the rural areas of the town.

"It is making sure our NHS is invested in and we hold the privatised industries to account and choose clean rivers and a green economy."

Independent Mitchell Cryer

Independent Mitchell James Cryer said: "Ask yourself what has this Parliament given you?

"Record living costs, Record violent crime, Low growth.

"This election is an opportunity to choose a different future for our town and a different future for our country: an opportunity to choose an MP who will answer only to the people."

Reform UK hopeful Nathan McCollum

Nathan McCollum from Reform UK said: "There are multiple issues that need addressing within the constituency that the previous administration did not address.

"One of them is the use of food banks and local poverty. To many people are struggling to feed their families and that should not happen in the 21st century.

"Another issue that is close to my heart is the increase in anti-social behaviour. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

"The issue is young people do not get consulted on decisions within their neighbourhoods."

Ryan Fiass is running as an independent

Independent Ryan Fiass said: "I am standing to make young people aware so they join this election and change the future of their life, their town and their country.

"They must not leave it to old people who have been making all the bad decisions for our lives.

"We are still behind on new technology, new development, new systems, new laws and new freedoms in our lives."

David Roper is another independent running

Also standing as an Independent is former Liberal Democrat councillor David Roper who is a frequent visitor to Burnley Full Council to hold the authority to account on a variety of issues including leaving the town hall lights on. He said: "'I'm my own boss.. I can speak to the people of Burnley and see what they want me to do."

After July 4, Mr Higginbotham's main consolation may be that if he puts up a decent showing there will be more fertile blue pastures awaiting him at only 34.

A party grateful for his historic victory almost five years ago will find him a much safer Tory seat which will assure him a much longer time sitting on the green House of Commons benches in the future.

The full list of candidates is: Gordon Birtwistle – Liberal Democrats; Mitchell Cryer - Independent; Rayyan Fiass - Independent; Antony Higginbotham – Conservative Party; Jack Launer - Green Party; Nathan McCollum - Reform UK; David Roper - Independent; and Oliver Ryan – Labour and Co-operative Party.