Lawyer in bid to become Burnley MP (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Lawyer in bid to become Burnley MP

10:50am Friday 2nd October 2009 in

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A SOLICITOR from Cliviger is the latest canidate to throw his hat into the ring to become Burnley’s next MP.

Property lawyer Richard Rawsthorn, 59, will stand for the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the 2010 General Election.

He will face Burnley council leader Coun Gordon Birtwistle, for the Liberal Democrats, and the Conservative’s Richard Ali.

Labour are currently deciding on whether they will select their candidate from an all-woman shortlist, following an appeal to the party’s national executive, and the British National Party is expected to field a candidate.

While Mr Rawsthorn, a partner in Manchester-based firm Lawsons, is realistic about his prospects of securing the seat, he is prepared for a battle.

He said: “This will be one of those seats which is highly unpredictable and we could have a lot of influence.

"Certainly I cannot remember Burnley having anything other than a Labour MP.

“But I know Kitty Ussher has not exactly distinguished herself over the expenses issue and she will not be standing.

“I live in Cliviger, have lived there all my life, as did my father and grandfather before me.

"I am a local candidate, not someone who has been parachuted in.”