the labour party selected phil wilson, a public relations consultant, local party member and one of the "famous five" who had promoted tony blair's first candidacy in 1983. he was chosen from a shortlist of five candidates, including former minister melanie johnson. the liberal democrats chose north east regeneration expert greg stone, a councillor in newcastle-upon-tyne and former candidate in the vale of york in the 2001 election and newcastle-upon-tyne central in the 2005 election. the conservatives stood graham robb, a public relations consultant and former radio presenter, who stood for the party in 1992 in hartlepool, losing to peter mandelson.