A Nottinghamshire councillor has claimed he was "blocked" from standing as a MP candidate'. Councillor Greg Marshall, who represents Beeston West for the Labour party on Broxtowe Borough Council, has said he was blocked from becoming Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Broxtowe at a Selection Committee on Monday, February 27.
The Labour Party, in response, said it would "make no apologies" over processes that made sure "everyone selected is of the highest calibre". Mr Marshall previously stood as the Labour candidate for Broxtowe in 2017 and 2019, which he called an "immense privilege".
In a statement, which was posted to his Twitter account, he said: "It is with huge disappointment that yesterday I was blocked by the Labour Party from standing to represent Broxtowe at the next general election. Despite having the backing of the vast majority of members in the local party, eight trade unions, society affiliates, and respected regional Labour figures from across the political spectrum, the Party has determined that I am unfit to stand.
"To add insult to this decision, I wasn't even informed directly by the Party but instead had to wait to be told by the CLP members on the Selection Committee." The councillor also highlighted that he was "born and raised in Broxtowe" and knew the constituency "like the back of [his] hand".
Mr Marshall added: "I have been blocked because the Party knew I would win. Although this is a tough pill to swallow, I will continue serving residents of Broxtowe as a councillor as I have for the last 12 years."
A Labour Party spokesperson said: "Thanks to Keir Starmer's leadership, Labour is now a serious, credible government in waiting and our candidates reflect that. Robust due diligence processes have been put in place to make sure everyone selected is of the highest calibre and for that we’ll make no apologies.
“Labour has changed. Keir believes that politics can be a force for good, and that his government can restore the faith in it that 13 years of Tory government has carelessly eroded. The public rightly expect anyone asking to hold office is of the highest standard, and with Labour they can. We're really pleased that outstanding Labour candidates have already been selected in constituencies across Britain, and that work continues."
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