In 1992 a brilliantly executed strategy based on Euro and local government election results ensured that Labour leapt from being third to within 4,500 votes of the Tory MP. Campaigns using leaflets, stalls and raising resources have laid the foundations for a General Election victory. The constituency, usually on the left on policy issues, built a strong organisation.

The Party voted to have an all-women shortlist, a decision endorsed by the NEC, which excluded the previous candidate Fabian Hamilton. Because of our proven organisational track record, the Regional Party asked the constituency to allow full access by the media, including a television documentary crew, throughout the selection. This was to be the model selection of women candidates by the 'new' Labour Party.

There were a number of strong local women candidates but some of us on the left felt a sharper and clearer political discussion was needed. Liz Davies was invited to the Chapel Allerton ward meeting, where she wiped out the opposition politically. She did not have an easy ride but despite a number of unsubstantiated attacks led by the Daily Mail, she won selection against strong candidates.

The attacks continued and the NEC was hounded into rejecting Liz Davies. This is just a brief sketch of a most disturbing series of attacks on the constituency which united the left and centre of the Party.

For the next contest over 50 candidates applied. The selection was run in strictest secrecy and officers were prevented from giving members information regarding the business dealings of one of the candidates.

This was the first use of the new selection procedures - just like a job interview, and conducted under bizarre circumstances. The 'job specification' drawn up by the local Party Executive was amended unilaterally by unelected regional officials. You didn't have to attend the 'interview' to vote, it was forbidden to ask any searching questions and the work backgrounds of the candidates were excluded.

Again Chapel Allerton chose an 'outsider', Pam Tatlow, veteran of two elections, including the Cheltenham by-election. The NEC could hardly reject a candidate with such a visible background. Her radical but experienced politics won her friends across the whole constituency.

Despite attempts to suppress the business backgrounds of one of the candidates, some details did surface in the press - but after over 100 members had cast their postal ballots. Their vote was decisive in ensuring Fabian Hamilton's narrow victory.

Subsequently the Constituency Executive has sent a large dossier of publicly accessible documents detailing the winning candidate's business dealings to the NEC, with a clear implication not to endorse him.