Hopi Sen, one of the few must-read political bloggers, is on the Labour candidacy shortlist for the new safe Gateshead seat.

But the former head of campaigns for the Labour Party will need to use all of his expertise to win the nomination. My snout in the north tells me that deputy council leader Ian Mearns already has it “in the bag”. By happy coincidence, Mearns is a chum of outgoing MP David Clelland.

The decision will be made in a fortnight.