article_snippet.sent: It is a key Labour-held battleground in the run up to next month's election.
article_snippet.sent: In 1997, Mr Rose stood in next month's election as a candidate for the Socialist Labour Party which was launched by former mine workers leader Arthur Scargill.
article_snippet.sent: In 2001 and 2005, the flamboyant businessman stood for UKIP in the Southampton Itchen seat, polling 1,623 votes in the second.
article_snippet.sent: The current Southampton Itchen MP is Labour's John Denham, who won by just 192 votes last time.
article_snippet.sent: The current Southampton Itchen MP will stand down after next month's election on May 7.
article_snippet.sent: The other candidates are Royston Smith (Conservative); Rowenna Davis (Labour); Eleanor Bell (Liberal Democrats); John Spottiswoode (Green Party) and Sue Atkins (TUSC).