Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne has issued a full response as he fights to keep hold of his seat in Parliament.
Earlier today the ECHO reported that Mr Byrne, who was elected as the Labour MP for the constituency in 2019 is facing a fight to once again be the candidate for the safe Labour seat at the next General Election.
Despite being named MP of the year for his work to fight food poverty, Mr Byrne has been 'triggered' by West Derby Labour members, meaning the party will now hold an open selection and others can challenge him for the Labour nomination in the safe party seat.
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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.
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, West Derby Constituency Party members will vote for who they want to be their candidate.
This evening, Mr Byrne has issued a strong statement in response to the news that he will face a selection fight. He cited his efforts to fight food poverty and campaign for a Hillsborough Law as he made clear he intends to win the selection battle and retain the West Derby seat.
Here is the full statement from Ian Byrne MP:
"I have been informed by the Labour Party that I have been 'triggered' and than an open contest to select the labour candidate to represent West Derby at the next General Election will begin imminently.
"I am disappointed that the party has decided to press ahead with a full selection when concerns about the integrity of the process have not been resolved.
"It is a privilege to represent the people of West Derby and I am grateful for the mandate you have given me to be a crusading MP on the issues of food poverty and hunger and to lead on the campaign for a Hillsborough Law in Parliament, working alongside Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram and Maria Eagle.
"Since becoming an MP in 2019, I have worked tirelessly on behalf of workers in struggle, pensioners and our fifties born women, spoken up for renters, carers, dementia sufferers; supported our trade unions; defended our NHS and its staff and successfully campaigned to add Hillsborough to the school curriculum.
"This work was recognised in March when I was awarded overall MP of the Year by the Patchwork Foundation. Britain needs MPs who care about those most in needs, as indeed does West Derby. The cost of living crisis is hitting our constituency hard. Polling by Survation following the mini-budget found that 73% of West Derby constituents fear being unable to afford their energy bills next year, 37% fear homelessness within a year and 41% fear they will be using foodbanks.
"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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