The Labour Party has chosen its Broxtowe candidate for the next general election following weeks of controversy after a leading councillor was "blocked" from the process. Juliet Campbell will attempt to win Broxtowe for Labour during the general election expected to take place next year.
Juliet Campbell was selected after a meeting on Saturday (March 18) which saw local party members voting between those candidates who had made it onto the shortlist. But one of those who did not make the shortlist was Greg Marshall, who represents Beeston West on Broxtowe Borough Council and who has been Labour's candidate in the area for the last two general elections.
At the election in 2019, Councillor Marshall lost to the Conservative candidate Darren Henry, whilst in 2017 he lost to Anna Soubry. But at the latter election, he increased Labour's vote share by nearly 10%.
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Mr Marshall said in a statement late last month: "It is with huge disappointment that yesterday I was blocked by the Labour Party from standing to represent Broxtowe at the next general election. 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 [constituency Labour party] members on the selection committee."
Several trade unions called for the Greg Marshall decision to be reversed, whilst both the selection committee and the executive committee within Broxtowe's constituency Labour party all resigned. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell even called for Keir Starmer to intervene on the matter.
But reacting to the news that she had been selected to fight the constituency, Juliet Campbell said: "I am utterly delighted to have selected as Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Broxtowe. I want to thank members for believing in me.
"I have worked and campaigned all my life for people to get what's fair. For carers to be recognised and supported, for a Living Wage so people can afford a decent standard of living, for patients to be put at the heart of our health service."
Juliet was born and raised in Bilborough and her career so far has included being a senior manager in the NHS and a cabinet member of Lewisham Council. She added: "I know a Labour Government will improve so many lives, and I will work tirelessly as the Broxtowe candidate to get this area the voice it needs."
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