Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne has received the support of key figures in his fight to retain his seat in Parliament.
Mr Byrne, who was elected as the Labour MP for the seat at the 2019 General Election, is facing a battle to be selected as the Labour candidate again for the next election.
The ECHO revealed last week that Mr Byrne has been 'triggered' by members of the West Derby Constituency Labour Party. This means he will have to face off against other potential candidates to be selected as Labour's choice for the safe Liverpool seat.
On its website, Labour has posted details of all the seats which will now go to selection battles and the deadlines for when potential other candidates must apply for the positions.
READ MORE: Ian Byrne's full response as he faces fight to retain MP seat
The Labour website shows that anyone now wishing to challenge Mr Byrne to be Labour's candidate in the safe West Derby seat must register their application by Midday on Thursday, October 20. After any new candidates are shortlisted, the West Derby Constituency Party will vote for who they want to be their candidate.
And if the previous selection battle for the seat is anything to go by, this could now be a closely contested fight. In 2019, Mr Byrne narrowly defeated rival candidate, Liverpool Councillor Angela Coleman, by just three votes after two recounts.
The West Derby MP is well known in Liverpool for his work with Fans Supporting Foodbanks and for leading on the Right to Food campaign, which aims to eradicate hunger from society.
Mr Byrne has had some powerful backing in his reselection fight already. Both Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram have come out in support of the incumbent MP.
The three men have worked together on the campaign for a new Hillsborough Law, which Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has committed to implementing if he gets into power.
Mayor Burnham said: "I have worked closely with Ian on the Hillsborough Law Now and Right to Food campaigns. He is a proper MP who speaks passionately and authentically for his constituents, class and the Labour and trade union movement. We need more MPs like Ian in Parliament."
Mayor Rotheram was similarly effusive. He said: "Ian is chair of the Hillsborough Law campaign and has taken the fight to the heart of government, engaging with a host of organisations desperately seeking justice for their loved ones. In addition he has promoted the Real Truth Legacy Project, which aims to educate schoolchildren on the real events of the Hillsborough disaster.
"Working with Ian we have gained commitment from the whole city region to support progressive policies, like a legal Right to Food. On these issues and a host of others, Ian has been an invaluable voice for the voiceless in Parliament. He cares deeply about his West Derby constituents and the people of the region.
"He has already achieved so much in such a short space of time, I am certain that if reselected he will continue to be a powerful force the for the good people of his constituency."
In his own statement, Mr Byrne said: "We need voices on the green benches who will champion those with the least. It has always been my passion to speak up for those denied a voice and I want to go on campaigning to abolish hunger and bring in a legal right to food. There can be no more important task for those who seek to represent others. My work has only just begun and there is still so much to do.
"I am seeking re-election to be Labour candidate for West Derby and I ask everyone who can do so to join my grassroots campaign to make sure the people of West Derby continue to have someone fighting for them in Parliament."
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