A Knowsley Labour councillor prevented from contesting his seat in May’s elections has spoken out over what he calls the “ongoing silencing” of people on the left.
Cllr Crispin Evans, who has represented St Gabriel’s ward in Huyton for nearly four years was stopped from standing following a selection vote which took place earlier this month.
Labour sources told the ECHO Cllr Evans was deselected at the behest of the Knowsley party leadership because he “asked too many questions” and was “more on the left” of the party.
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Cllr Evans, who is currently the vice chair of the borough’s climate emergency committee, has also held positions on the borough’s inclusive growth and licensing committees and has been a councillor since being elected for St Gabriel’s ward in 2019.
When approached, Cllr Evans also said he thought left-wing members were being targeted and took aim at the “centralisation” of power which he said is leading many to leave Labour in Knowsley.
The councillor said there was a problem around “accountability and openness” in Knowsley Labour and spoke of concerns the “ethos of the standards of public life” were not being upheld by the local party.
Cllr Evans told the ECHO: “I don’t want to comment on the (de)selection process other than to say I was a victim of the ongoing silencing/marginalisation of the left.
“This is not restricted just to Corbyn supporters but also to other left of centre voices in the party.”
He said that while the “financially stable” position of Knowsley council was “testament” to the work of officers at the council, there was a problem with power being “centralised” in Knowsley Council.
Cllr Evans said: “Power is being centralised and lessons aren’t being learnt from Liverpool or Scotland when it comes to accountability and listening to voices outside the centralised group.
“The party is rapidly losing activists, members and voters to other parties or independent candidates.
“The ethos of the “standards of public life” is not being upheld. Especially accountability and openness.”
Cllr Evans said that he wanted to thank the residents of St Gabriel’s ward, who had supported him during his time in office, adding: “I remain a Socialist and remain committed to the Labour Party and to public service.”
Leader of Knowsley Labour and Knowsley Council, Cllr Graham Morgan was approached for comment but declined to respond.
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