Labour faces by-election rift

Local members threaten to oust candidate before general election if he wins Hartlepool poll

Labour party members in Hartlepool are threatening to deselect their candidate before the general election, even if he wins Thursday's byelection.

Unhappiness with the national party's control over the candidate's selection process has prompted some to boycott Iain Wright's campaign. Fewer than half of the town's 25 councillors have actively taken part.

Keith Fisher, a former president of the Hartlepool branch, and member for 30 years, said: "Regardless of how this Thursday's election goes, I predict there will be a new candi date standing here for Labour in the general election."

When Peter Mandelson announced in July that he would be moving to Brussels, the local party made it clear it did not want him to be replaced with another outsider.

Twenty-six nominations, including several town councillors, Mr Mandelson's former election agent and a former local MEP, were submitted, and then vetted by Labour's NEC. The NEC presented the local party with a shortlist, and Iain Wright was the only Hartlepool name on it.

"We were given a choice of one. We felt railroaded into it, and we're seething. Local, long-standing members, not even allowed to stand before their own local party? How can that be? It was shocking - a disgrace," Mr Fisher said. "I can only assume the NEC had an image of what they wanted, someone who'd say yes to everything and wouldn't rock the boat."

Ray Waller, a councillor for 41 years, said: "A number of us were surprised there was only one local candidate, and I think once we have got the election over with there will be a discussion, when we make our minds up whether or not to stick with Iain.

"I think it would have given Iain more credibility within the party if other local candidates had been on the shortlist, and that's a view that most party members would share."

Two-thirds of the local party stayed away from the meeting at which Mr Wright was selected.

Robbie Payne, a councillor for the last nine years and cabinet member for four, was one of the nominees rejected by the NEC, and is supporting calls for a new selection process after the election.

"Iain's exactly what New Labour want," he said.

Anger intensified last month when it became known that Mr Wright's team had offered the local mayor, an independent, a deal for his support. In return for the mayor's endorsement, Labour offered to stand a weak candidate against him at the next mayoral election. The mayor has declined to endorse anyone.

Many members are unhappy with the tone of Mr Wright's campaign, which has focused on attacks against the Liberal Democrat candidate's character, and on a promise to "clear the streets of yobs and thugs".

"I've worked in every general election since 1955," said Mr Waller, "and it's always been focused on the issues.

"I've delivered leaflets on a couple of occasions this time, and I'm not very happy with the way personality attacks have been the main focus." The budget for a byelection is £100,000, but in the general election the branch will be allowed less than £20,000, and have to rely on local voluntary activists.

This support will not be forthcoming, according to Mr Fisher, unless the selection process is allowed to take place again.

Iain Wright said the NEC's choice of shortlist was not a matter for him to discuss. "We are reinvigorating the party. We have 30 new members as a result of this byelection."

Guardian

COMMENT

I heard the same thing from Labour members in Hodge Hill.