ANGRY Labour Party members in Warrington North fear they may have a new Parliamentary candidate “parachuted” into the constituency following veteran MP Helen Jones’ decision to retire.
They want an all-member hustings called to give the constituency members their “democratic right” to choose their own candidate.
Cllr Mike Matthews, vice chairman of Winwick Parish Council and a former borough councillor (pictured with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn) has written a strongly worded letter to Labour’s National Executive calling for such a hustings.
It is that two borough councillors – deputy leader Cathy Mitchell and Cllr Amanda King – are both interested in standing.
Cllr Matthews’ letter to the NEC states: “The sudden retirement announcement of Helen Jones MP so close to an election means there is a real possibility that members will again be denied their democratic rights. The last time CLP members in Warrington North got to choose a new parliamentary candidate was 23 years ago, in the run up to the 1997 election.
“Where there have been similar retirements of Labour MPs, member hustings have been arranged within a week’s notice, such as Wrexham which was organised for Sunday 3rd November but has actually now been brought forward to Friday 1st November.This demonstrates that the process is agile and can accommodate a final hustings for members to have their democratic right of choosing their new parliamentary candidate.
“Warrington Labour and indeed the wider region has a wealth of talented and experienced women, it would therefore be unacceptable to members to have a candidate imposed on us. I and many others, are demanding our democratic right to choose our next parliamentary candidate, in a member hustings.
“As the deadline for nomination papers for the upcoming General Election is 4pm on Thursday 14th November, there is ample time for Warrington North Labour members, to have their democratic right in a final member hustings. This should be arranged without delay.
“I and many others, also note that over the last two decades, the relationship between Warrington North and South has not always been comradely. This led to the formal NEC inquiry by Lord Roy Kennedy.
“To avoid any flaring of past issues, ensure a fair process and protect the democratic rights of all members in Warrington North and Labour’s reputation, the NEC or Regional Office must ensure an independent person from the constituency is appointed for the longlisting and shortlisting process and to wholly organise and supervise the member hustings process.”
In fact, it is understood there is already friction between supporters of two borough councillors interested in being Labour’s candidate – deputy leader Cathy Mitchell and Cllr Amanda King.
But Warrington Worldwide understands there are also two “outside” people interested in joining the all-woman list – MEP Theresa Griffin and Yasmine Dar, a member of Labour’s NEC.
An emergency motion was put to a meeting of the Warrington North CLP tonight by Cllr Pauline Nelson, calling on the NEC to agree to a final member hustings in Warrington North before a selection is made.
UPDATE: The motion was passed unopposed.
