Paul Waugh in contest to become hometown MP

The journalist Paul Waugh, i’s chief political commentator, has been asked to stand for Parliament.

Waugh was approached by political activists in his hometown Rochdale – a safe Labour seat – and asked if he would stand in this spring’s by-election, following the death last week of MP Tony Lloyd.

Last night he was named on the party’s three-person shortlist, with activists expected to choose their candidate this Saturday.

The two other candidates on the list are Lancashire county councillor Azhar Ali and Wigan councillor Nazia Rehman.

Waugh is known to have agonised about the decision after 26 years reporting on politics, having built a reputation for holding politicians from all parties to account, and winning trust across Westminster. As a journalist he has interrogated ministers from New Labour, the Con-Lib Coalition and the Conservatives.

In a column explaining his decision to readers, Waugh wrote: “After a quarter of a century sitting in the House of Commons Press Gallery, I feel it’s time to cease being a spectator and start being a player.”

You can read Waugh’s column here.

He said “the unique, lunar pull of a chance to represent my hometown has won the day”, adding that he felt especially concerned about the future of the NHS, where his wife works.

Rival candidate Azhar Ali tweeted that he was “happy to have been shortlisted”.

He added: “Tony Lloyd was a great man, a friend, and Rochdale’s champion. No one wanted this by-election, but after 14 years of the Tories, it’s critical we send Rishi a message, fight for every vote & win.”

Waugh is on leave until the contest is concluded – standing aside from his duties as i’s chief political commentator.

Since the invention of the printing press, many journalists have become MPs. Memorably in 1997 the BBC journalist Martin Bell resigned to stand in that year’s general election as an independent.

With just three weeks to campaign, he trounced the Conservative incumbent, Neil Hamilton, who was facing sleaze allegations, after Labour and the Lib Dems stood aside.

i is the only UK national newspaper never to support a political party and has a reputation for trusted, non-partisan coverage of politics.