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Tories could win in Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson’s old seats as Labour voters turn to Theresa May for Brexit leadership

Ukip voters are tipped to turn blue - as are many traditional Labour supporters

TONY Blair’s old seat is among those in peril of falling to the Tories — along with the one Peter Mandelson held, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.

Labour’s majority in the ex-PM’s former constituency of Sedgefield in Co Durham is 6,843.

 Tony Blair's and Peter Mandelson's former seats could fall to the Conservatives in the snap general election
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Tony Blair's and Peter Mandelson's former seats could fall to the Conservatives in the snap general electionCredit: Photopress Belfast

But many of the 6,426 who backed Ukip in 2015 are tipped to switch to the Conservatives — as traditional Labour voters also back Theresa May.

Peter Dovaston, 68, who helps run the Village Style shop there, said: “I’ve never voted Tory but I like Theresa May.

“I think she will be good for our country.”

 Blair's old seat has never been Conservative buy many traditional Labour voters are backing Theresa May
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Blair's old seat has never been Conservative buy many traditional Labour voters are backing Theresa MayCredit: PA:Press Association

Michael Lodge, 66, backed Ukip in 2015 after being a traditional Labour voter through his life.

He said: “I’m thinking about voting Tory and I say that as someone living in the north east and has seen the mining communities hit so hard.

“But I feel there is a credibility gap with Jeremy Corbyn.

“There were lots of policies I liked in his manifesto such as scrapping tuition fees but how will the whole programme work in practice.

“I also don’t feel the local MP Phil Wilson has done enough, he has had minimal impact.”

 Theresa May's Conservatives could sweep the area
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Theresa May's Conservatives could sweep the areaCredit: Getty Images

Ex-teacher Harry Kelly, 89, is in “turmoil” over who to vote for having taught ex-Labour MP Iain Wright in Hartlepool – where ex-New Labour Cabinet Minister Peter Mandelson stood for 12 years.

Wright is standing down but only presided over a 3,024 majority and the Tories need a 7.37 per cent swing.

Mr Kelly said: “I have more faith in Theresa May than Jeremy Corbyn.

“She knows her way around the European stage when it comes to Brexit.

“On domestic policy, Labour’s policies are too ambitious – where is the money going to come from?

“The fact that so much attention is on these seats and how the Tories could possibly take them shows how desperate it has become for Labour.

“Areas close to Tony Blair’s old seat should be safe Labour seats, there is a potential huge political upset on the cards.”


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