Members will have opportunity to choose who represents them in next general election

Labour sources have confirmed to the SKWAWKBOX that members will shortly be given the green light to run the ‘trigger’ process for the selection of their candidates in the next general election.

The party’s rules were changed at last September’s conference to lower the barrier for local parties with a sitting MP to select a new candidate. Under the new rules, if one in three member branches (or affiliate branches) votes to run a selection process, one must take place.

Previously, a majority of all branches of both types had to support a contest for one to be ‘triggered’, raising concerns that unions or affiliates could cram branches into a CLP to protect favoured incumbents.

In 2017, members were deprived of the opportunity to run even the 51% process by the short timescale to the snap general election, but the new move will avoid a recurrence. In January of this year, Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) gave general secretary Jennie Formby approval to start planning a trigger schedule and this will soon be announced.

SKWAWKBOX view:

Labour members who want to see a change should start organising in readiness for the opportunity to present a genuine, positive alternative to the people. Organise to defend good candidates, too – as the right will certainly try to exploit the Brexit issue to attack some of Labour’s best.

The SKWAWKBOX needs your support. This blog is provided free of charge but depends on the generosity of its readers to be viable. If you can afford to, please click here to arrange a one-off or modest monthly donation via PayPal or here for a monthly donation via GoCardless. Thanks for your solidarity so this blog can keep bringing you information the Establishment would prefer you not to know about.

If you wish to reblog this post for non-commercial use, you are welcome to do so – see here for more.

Like this: Like Loading...