LABOUR'S candidate for Suffolk Coastal Adam Leeder believes that John Gummer's decision to quit as MP at the next election gives the constituency the opportunity to make a 'fresh choice.

LABOUR'S candidate for Suffolk Coastal Adam Leeder believes that John Gummer's decision to quit as MP at the next election gives the constituency the opportunity to make a 'fresh choice.'

Mr Gummer, who has been a Suffolk MP for 30 years, announced this week that he is leaving Westminster politics to concentrate his efforts on brokering a global climate change deal in the wake of the collapse of the Copenhagen talks earlier this month.

Mr Leeder said: 'I wish John Gummer well with his desire to focus his efforts to help tackle climate change - which poses the gravest danger of the 21st century.

'Suffolk Coastal now has an opportunity for a fresh choice at the next General Election and I relish the opportunity of fighting a new opponent.'

Suffolk Coastal Tories will begin the search for a new candidate next week to defend Mr Gummer's 9,685 vote majority. For Mr Leeder to win, it would take a swing from the Conservatives to Labour of 9.22pc.

The constituency includes Felixstowe, Martlesham, Woodbridge, Saxmundham, Aldeburgh, Halesworth and Southwold.