Black men who had hoped to stand as Labour candidates in June’s snap election have written a formal letter of complaint to the party’s national governing body, saying they are “perplexed and disheartened” to have been overlooked for selection.



In a letter, signed by a number of prominent activists and councillors, addressed to general secretary Iain McNicol, black Labour members said it was “unacceptable” the party hadn't selected any additional black male candidates anywhere in the UK.

“We believe there is clear and growing evidence of discrimination and unconscious bias which has led to an outcome of underrepresentation compared to other BAME communities,” the letter, seen by BuzzFeed News, said. A copy of the letter was also sent to party leader Jeremy Corbyn.



According to analysis by BuzzFeed News, the party has a total of 13 black or mixed race candidates of African or Caribbean descent contesting seats. Of that 13, eight are seeking re-election, half of which are men (Chuka Umunna in Streatham, Mark Hendrick in Preston, Clive Lewis in Norwich South, and David Lammy in Tottenham).

However, all five of Labour's new black parliamentary candidates are women. And crucially they are all standing in marginal or unwinnable seats and are unlikely to get elected.

Sources who spoke to BuzzFeed News complained their selection was a smokescreen for black representation.