Leeds North East CLP

The CLP has finally been allowed to start its re-selection process. Since the industrial tribunal decision against all women shortlists, the NEC has required CLPs to draw up a statement of candidate qualifications as part of the selection process.

The accompanying guidelines make it clear that the contents of the statement are a matter for the individual CLP. Leeds North East Executive Committee drew up a list of qualifications for their PPC, including the requirement that the candidate must live up to the highest standards of honesty and probity, be committed to socialist principles, be held accountable to the CLP, and commit themselves to living in the constituency.

When the statement was sent out by full-time Party officials, all of these requirements had mysteriously vanished. Are we to assume that commitments to honesty, probity and socialism would disqualify any potential PPC under New Labour?

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