LABOUR'S Nick Bent has reflected on the past 'five years on the frontline' following his defeat in the General Election.

The Warrington South candidate suffered a 2,750 majority loss to Conservative David Mowat, five years after experiencing similar heartache.

But despite the damning defeat, Mr Bent insists everything in his campaign went according to plan but he admits change must be made nationally.

"What is certain is that we need a lot of change at the top to make victory here possible in 2020, let alone likely," he said.

The Great Sankey resident also spoke of residents' concerns over electing Ed Miliband into power - a factor he believes played a big part in costing the party at the polls.

"There is no escaping the fact that a series of major strategic errors were made by the Labour party nationally over the last five years," he said.

"I do include the election of Ed Miliband as one of those strategic errors, although I do not think it was the biggest such error."

He agreed the NHS needed 'saving' from the Conservatives but feels there was too much focus on the service from the party.

"Despite all the Treasury experience at the top, Labour failed to convince middle-class swing voters that we could be trusted to grow the economy, to tackle the deficit and, crucially, to reduce their personal tax burden and make them better off," he said.

"Locally, I have always tried to frame what Labour offers in terms of more opportunity to get on in life.

"I believe that is what the Labour party exists for, but that did not come through in our national rhetoric.

"Labour had a chance to beat the Tories on the economy, public spending, business and tax, but we blew it."

With the race for the Labour leadership in full flow, Mr Bent has set out six tests to determine who should be placed in charge.

"First, the right direction and substance are essential - we need a leader committed to a 40 per cent strategy as an absolute minimum, with a centrist, aspirational, 21st century approach," he said.

He feels each voter must be treated as a 'swing voter' and the new leader must be one who 'communicates well' and is 'unafraid to grasp the depth of the challenges facing Labour'.

He also spoke of the need for the leader to be 'outward-looking and open-minded'.

"Finally, we need a leader who accepts that they will not be on a five-year deal, but rather a renewable 30-month contract," he added.

Mr Bent has confirmed his 'instinct' is to stand again and he will remain in Warrington.

But he admits the decision on the race for the seat in 2020 'is some way off' and 'down to local party members'.