Newton Abbot Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate resigns

Jermaine Atiya-alla has stepped down from the role of Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Newton Abbot.

The simple message “I resign” appeared on his Facebook page just past 9pm on Thursday, February 11.

Up until January 15, Jermaine seemed to be in full swing of pre-election preparations. His Facebook page said: “Can’t wait to get back on the campaign trial next week in Newton Abbot subject to snow of course!”

But by February 1, the tone had changed to “Shall I stay or go”.

In Newton Abbot, the odds for a Labour victory are 100/1, with Lib Dem incumbent MP Richard Younger Ross on 4/6. The strong Conservative challenge in the re-drawn constituency coming from Anne Marie Morris, helped with an active ad campaign, is on 11/10.

But Labour is a long shot outside the urban areas of Devon where there are sitting MPs, with even the ‘influential’ PPC Luke Pollard at 100/1 in South West Devon.

The selection process for the seat is now set to begin with the deadline drawing nearer for the General Election.

Jermaine was one of the few Labour challengers in Devon who had a web presence.

• A hiding to nothing? Can Labour give up on rural Devon? Comments below, please