Euan Blair, the 29-year-old son of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, is reportedly targeting the ultra-safe Labour seat of Bootle in Merseyside for the next general election. The constituency is located close to the childhood home of his mother, Cherie Blair, who was raised in Waterloo, just north of Bootle.
Bootle is currently held by Labour MP Joe Benton, 81, who has represented the seat for 24 years and holds a majority of over 21,000. Despite vowing to stand again in 2015, Benton faces de-selection and has already lost support in at least one ward. Labour headquarters is considering opening the seat to a formal selection contest at the end of next month.
Euan Blair, who previously worked at investment bank Morgan Stanley and caused controversy by working for Republicans in Washington, could face competition from Benton, local council leader Peter Dowd, and other activists. Labour would need to bypass its default all-women shortlist system to allow male candidates like Blair to run.
A Labour source described the prospect of Blair being 'parachuted' into Bootle as a 'disaster' and a 'joke', though his mother's strong ties to the area could be an advantage. Cherie Blair has often spoken of her Merseyside roots and served as Chancellor Emeritus of Liverpool John Moores University.
Euan Blair is one of several 'Red Princes' seeking seats, including Stephen Kinnock in Aberavon, Will Straw in Rossendale and Darwen, and David Prescott eyeing a London seat. A Labour spokesman confirmed that the re-selection process for Bootle has begun, with a result expected on May 30.
