Vocal Voices

This is about parachutist being sent in over the selection of locals.

Three local candidates kept off the shortlist while the two candidates chosen (by the National Executive) Kate Dearden and Simon Lightwood, are not form Wakefield.

The local party is furious that the rules have not been followed so have resigned en masse. Dearden and Lighwood might be from W. Yorkshire, but so am I and know little or nowt of Wakey. One thing I do know is that local people all over the country are sick of parachutists being chosen by national executives of all parties over local candidates.

It happens all to often that party favourites are sent in, especially in "safe" or "winnable" seats. It should not be allowed as it is undemocratic.

It is poor.
It has also happened before. A local councillor was expected to be the Labour candidate but was blocked by a senior Labour party figure, and Wakefield got Mary Creagh instead.
Repeating the mistakes of the past is not a smart thing to do. Parachuting candidates in from London is a very patronising version of democracy. "Don't worry your little heads about a candidate, we've got the very person, you'll love him!".
I don't blame them for resigning.

I can understand why they are doing it even though they know it is not supported. They lost so many MP's, especially in the midlands and north, that they feel they need those back that they know.

Not very clever and the resignation of the local party is just what it needed to stop it. Plus losing the seat...

In 2020 Keir Starmer tweeted that "The selections for Labour candidates need to be more democratic and we should end NEC impositions of candidates. Local party members their candidates for every election.".