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Labour targets 'split' seat

Labour today targeted the safe Tory seat of Beckenham, saying local Conservative splits made the seat winnable for the first time.

They upgraded the constituency, held by Jacqui Lait, to a "key target seat" after local Conservative councillor Rod Reed said he may stand against Ms Lait as an independent.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell headed to the seat to begin high-level campaigning in the wake of the decision.

Labour's candidate Liam Curran said: "Rod Reed's decision is a huge blow for the Tories."

Ms Lait had a majority of 4,959 in the last election.

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Jacqui Smith