WIRRAL South MP Alison McGovern has gained the support of some of the Labour Party's biggest names as she bids to become Birkenhead's representative at the next general election. 

A boundary review means the number of constituencies on the peninsula will be cut from four to three with Ms McGovern's Wirral South constituency no longer existing. 

Wallasey and Wirral West will both remain with Birkenhead set to include Bebington. 

Other wards currently part of Wirral South - Bromborough and Eastham - will become part of the renamed Ellesmere Port and Bromborough constituency.

The boundary change has prompted a stand-off between current MP for Birkenhead Mick Whitley and Ms McGovern, who has launched a bid to win the seat. 

For the new, enlarged Birkenhead constituency, both Ms McGovern and Mr Whitley have legitimate claims and as a result the members are able to select their candidate.

A previous ruling that MPs could only stake a claim to another seat if 40% or more of their old constituents had been moved to a new one, was recently changed.

Any MP, with any wards moved to a new constituency, can now challenge sitting MPs.

In comments to Labour members this weekend Ms McGovern described her ambition to be a frontbench champion for Birkenhead’s future, “relentlessly focusing on our people and what we can get them.”

She said: “The Labour Party owes people security in a turbulent world. But more than that, people need us to provide the chance of hope for new opportunities.”

Ms McGovern outlined the key pillars of her plan for Birkenhead, including full regeneration of the town centre, revitalised public services that everyone can rely on, and battling poverty and inequality with good jobs and decent pay.

A Labour government, she claimed, would "end the need for food banks in Birkenhead and in every other town in our country.”

Ms McGovern also outlined her record as a member of parliament for the last 13 years.

She said: “I have represented my hometown in Parliament, fighting every day for a Labour Government that can help the place and people that brought me up."

She highlighted the investment that she has brought into the Wirral, helping to save the Williamson Art Gallery, and working with businesses, trade unions, councillors and community groups to build up the strength of the borough.

Ms McGovern welcomed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to speak to local members where he endorsed her campaign.

Mr Brown said: “I’m asking you to support Alison not just because she’s a great MP, and she is a great MP. And not just because she’s a great frontbench spokesperson for the Labour Party, because she speaks on employment, she speaks on labour rights, and she speaks on poverty and all these issues. And not just because she’s a great leader and she does lead people, not only in the House of Commons, but up here in all the campaigns that she runs.

"I’m asking you to think of Alison because she carries our hope for the future. She represents our aspirations and our dreams that we can create a better country.”

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has also thrown his support behind Ms McGovern. 

He said: "Labour needs MPs like Alison McGovern.

"She's energetic and dedicated, has deep roots in the community, is a convinced democratic socialist and internationalist and has a fine record of active service to her constituents and to our movement. 

"Those are the qualities needed to rebuild our country and public services and Alison applies them with total commitment. 

"She's the best Labour choice for Birkenhead and I give her my strong support."

It's understood the Labour Party selection process to choose Birkenhead's candidate will start this week.