A SCOTTISH Labour councillor has quit the party, citing “autocratic” imposition of candidates by the leadership which she said was “blocking good local people” from standing in the General Election.
Julie MacDougall, who had represented Labour on Fife Council, announced she was resigning from the party on moral grounds in a video posted to her Facebook.
MacDougall, who now sits as an independent, had aimed to run for Labour in the General Election in the Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy constituency.
Wilma Brown, Labour’s first candidate in the area, was removed after The National reported on “racist” social media activity. Brown was replaced by Melanie Ward, who lives in London.
Announcing her resignation, MacDougall hit out at Labour for imposing candidates on areas where they have no connections.
She said: “Today with a heavy heart and deep sadness, I have resigned from the Labour Party.
“This has not been an easy decision, nor one which I have taken lightly. But my hand has been forced.
“I feel I must advise the people who I represent, the reason why I felt the need to do so.
“I have tried my best and I fought tirelessly for over a year behind the scenes for democracy and fairness. But sadly, I have now exhausted all avenues.
“I therefore feel I must uphold the Nolan principles of public life and leave the Labour Party.
“It is no secret that candidates are being imposed on members and constituents in a non-democratic, autocratic manner which I simply cannot support, blocking good local people from being considered for future elections as potential candidates.”
She went on: “It would not be morally right for me to continue to represent Labour … I have lost faith in the Labour Party and do not believe it's practising what it preaches by upholding its core values and therefore feel I must speak up not just for me but for the sake of our loyal members who are being disregarded.
“I am not saying I have the right to be the chosen candidate, but I am saying the membership who pay their subscriptions should have the right to choose.”
MacDougall further said she wanted to assure her council constituents in Burntisland, Kinghorn and Western Kirkcaldy that she would still work hard for them as an independent councillor.
Responding to the news, Neale Hanvey, the Alba candidate in Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, praised MacDougall for her principles.
He said on social media: “Julie, you have my deepest respect for your courageous and principled decision.
“I know how difficult it is to leave a party you’ve given so much to, but if we don’t hold to our principles or speak the truth to constituents, then we have nothing.
“You would’ve been a formidable challenger and can’t for the life of me understand why you were treated so shabbily.
“Hope to see you again soon.”
Labour have been approached for comment.
Previously, the party has faced criticism for parachuting candidates into areas where they have no connections, including Israel lobbyist Luke Akehurst into North Durham and Shama Tatler to replace Faiza Shaheen in Chingford and Woodford Green.
The SNP's candidate for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, Lesley Backhouse, said: "The people of Scotland are all too familiar with the unprincipled and undemocratic Labour Party under Keir Starmer and now even their own politicians can't support Labour.
"To treat local members and even elected representatives so disrespectfully in order to impose a London-based candidate on Cowdenbeath and Kirkaldy is shameful – local people deserve better.
"People across Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy can vote SNP on July 4 for a local champion and to elect an SNP MP who will always put the interests of our constituency first."
