Nine leading members of the Labour Party in Bolton have quit their roles after accusing a ‘London clique’ of dictating the selection process for a Parliamentary candidate. The members were all part of the Bolton North East branch of the party and formed the selection committee for the Parliamentary constituency.
It is understood they were furious the national Labour Party selected the short-listing of applicants for the candidacy and imposed a three-person list contrary to the wishes of many local party members. The seat, which was won by Conservative incumbent Mark Logan in 2019, with a majority of just 378 votes, is an essential target seat for the party if they are to make gains on the Tories in the next general election.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands one of the issues which angered the committee was the absence from the list of chair of North West Labour, Leigh Drennan, who they believe was prevented from standing. Mr Drennan had been endorsed by Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner and several unions for the candidacy.
The statement, from the nine members – including chair Tony Shepherd, vice chair Florence Hill and secretary Bernadette Gallagher, – said: “Following the announcement of the long-list for Bolton North east, we now lack confidence in the integrity of the Labour Party’s selection process and have collectively resigned from the selection committee and the executive position we hold. “Yet again, it appears that the Labour Party is seeking to promote the views and attitudes of a clique in London, rather than local members in the north.
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“This goes against the attitude necessary to win back the red wall, which is desperately needed to deliver a Labour government.” Mr Drennan said: “It is with deep sadness that I announce I have not been long listed in Labour’s Bolton North East Parliamentary selection, and will not have the chance to put my case before the local Labour membership.
“I was hugely proud to secure the backing of Unite, UNISON, GMB and the CW, four of the largest trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party, and of the campaign I ran, however short. “Despite my disappointment I will be as active as ever in the Labour Party, fighting for a just society, and l’d like to ask all those who supported me to stay in as well.”
Mr Drennan was pictured canvassing in Bolton North East with Angela Rayner on Sunday, after the decision not to long list him was made. Tweeting a selfie of herself and Mr Drennan, Ms Rayner, said: “Great to join Bolton Labour and Bolton NE Labour local members on the doorstep today.
“We are at our best when we are united to win.” A Labour Party spokesperson said: “We’re really pleased to have three fantastic candidates on the short-list with strong connections to the local community.
“Thanks to Keir Starmer’s leadership, the Labour Party has put in place robust due diligence processes so that candidates are of the highest calibre. “Keir believes that the public have a right to know that everyone we put forward at election time is of a high standard.”
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