SIXTY Labour hopefuls are expected to join the race to be next MP for Leigh.

Already party activists are jockeying for positions after Leigh MP Lawrence Cunliffe announced he was retiring at the next General Election.

Mr Cunliffe has held the 'plum' seat for 20 years - the last time with a 24,492 majority.

The Leigh Constituency is the council wards of Hindley, Hindley Green, Leigh Central, Leigh East, Hope Carr, Atherton and Lightshaw.

Already insiders expect a 'bloody' campaign with at least one London-based Government high-flyer joining up to 60 people in the fight to get selected!

Local names put in the frame this week have included:

Hope Carr councillor Mark Hale.

Leigh East colleague Keith Cunliffe.

Euro candidates Ruth Turner from 'The Big Issue North' and former Liverpool councillor Teresa Griffin.

Wigan Social Services chairman Alan Stephenson.

Chris Matheson who has recently been helping Mr Cunliffe.

It will be January 2000 before serious decisions on candidates are taken by the Constituency Labour Party. But already Cllr Hale is thought to have extensive membership and union backing.

Paying tribute to Mr Cunliffe, Cllr Hale (who is Leigh CLP press spokesman) said: "Lawrence has successfully fought five General Elections and his last majority was substantially increased.

"He has done faithful and steadfast service, particularly on the European front.

"The CLP wish him well in his retirement." In an exclusive interview with The Journal Mr Cunliffe could not say who the candidate might be for the seat.

Mr Cunliffe said: "It's not a matter for me, it's a matter for the membership to choose someone who will represent Leigh as efficiently as possible.

"Whoever it is will have the advantage of serving under a Labour Government.

"That will be a distinct advantage. The new MP won't have to go through the traumatics of seeing our pits and tractor plants closing along with textile and cables industry.

"Now the area has to make its way in new industries and technology which hopefully can provide job security."

In the meantime Mr Cunliffe promised he would continue to "beaver away in some political way".

He said: "I shall still be chairman of the Lords and Commons Cricket Group, chairman of the Lords and Commons Racing and Bloodstock Group and involved with the Clubs' Group.

"In retirement I shall be following up some of my leisure pursuits and relaxing in that sense. But I won't be moving. My roots are here.

"Fortunately I'm in pretty good health but the time has come for me to step aside although I'm extremely fit and politically as active as ever.

The Deputy Leader of the 40-strong British delegation on the Council of Europe vowed: "I will pursue that right through because at the end of the day the European market is so important to us all."

When asked if a seat in the House of Lords alongside Constituency Labour Party chairman Peter Smith could be waiting for him he replied: "If that opportunity arose that is something I would have to consider, although to be honest I would much prefer to see an elected system."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.