PM's aide in running to contest seat for Labour

Michael Dugher, the Prime Minister's political spokesman, is applying to become Labour's Barnsley East candidate in the wake of Mr Ennis' shock announcement he was standing down at the general election.

The revelation follows Labour's announcement this week that it would not impose an all-women shortlist on the seat.

Barnsley Councillor Tim Cheetham has already announced he wants to run for the seat but Barnsley Council leader Steve Houghton has ruled himself out.

Mr Dugher grew up just outside the constituency in Edlington, near Doncaster, and his family still live in the area. As a former trade union official he is likely to get strong union backing.

Mr Dugher contested the safe Tory seat of Skipton and Ripon for Labour in 2001, but missed becoming Doncaster North candidate before the 2005 election when Ed Miliband was selected.

He has worked in Number Ten as Mr Brown's political spokesman since 2008, and was previously a special adviser to Geoff Hoon.

A panel set up by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee is inviting CVs from members interested in the Barnsley East seat – which has a notional majority of more than 17,000 taking into account new boundaries.

The NEC will draw up a shortlist from which local party members can choose a candidate.

The usual selection process – where the local party would decide who is shortlisted – has been circumvented because it is now only weeks until the election must take place.

Mr Ennis, who is Yorkshire's Deputy Regional Minister, has decided to stand down for personal reasons.