Hendon is Labour target seat

HENDON HAS BEEN pinpointed as a key battleground constituency by the Labour Party as Britain marks the half-way point between the 2010 and 2015 elections.

The north London constituency was won by Conservative Matthew Offord at the last general election. Mr Offord triumphed over his rival, Andrew Dismore, by just 103 votes.

The website Labour List places Hendon third in the rankings of seats the party considers key targets in two year’s time. Another Tory-held Barnet constituency — Finchley and Golders Green — is number 89 on the list, rated in order of the swing necessary for Labour to win.

Labour Friends of Israel chairman John Woodcock, MP for Barrow and Furness, is temporarily to step down while he recovers from a head injury.

Mr Woodcock has been advised by doctors to reduce his work load after falling at home last summer. He resigned as Shadow Transport Minister on Wednesday.

His LFI role will be covered by MPs Louise Ellman and Rachel Reeves until he is fit enough to return.