Six days after the general election, the re-elected Conservative MP died, so there will be a by-election. Many Uxbridge Labour Party members assumed we would have the same candidate, and were put out to discover the whole selection process would have to be gone through afresh. However, that's democracy - or so we thought.
The selection process has been rushed, and possibly not in accordance with Party rules. Meetings were held at very short notice to draw up shortlists and then invite possible candidates to speak at nomination meetings. In spite of the rush, sixteen nominations were made, half of them for the "sitting candidate", the rest spread among five other hopefuls. The nominated candidates were then invited to Walworth Road, where they were "interviewed" by the by-election sub-committee of the NEC. Two candidates were agreed to go forward to the selection meeting on 21st June. The local candidate, who is Deputy Leader of Hillingdon Council, is not on the list despite getting half the nominations. The two candidates who are on the selection shortlist have two nominations each - no explanation.
As a member who took part in the nomination process, I feel deeply aggrieved that I am given no reason - and there is no right of appeal - for my nomination being rejected. The local Conservatives are beside themselves with delight, and one leading Tory member said, "You've handed it to us on a plate."
It is interesting that the Chair of the by-election sub-committee, Richard Rosser, is a member of the Uxbridge Constituency, and the person nominated by his branch is on the shortlist.
"It's true that by-elections may have special pressures and sometimes require special measures, but this is still the general election honeymoon period. Apart from how it treats Party members and local democracy, what does it say to the electors about loyalty, consistency and building bonds of trust with the British people? And what about all those spare leaflets and posters which could have been re-used and will now have to be trashed?"