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Labour candidate selection
So the deadline for nominations for Yeovil Labour candidate is soon.
Obviously I think we need a left-wing candidate. One who if won the election, would support the Trade Union Freedom bill, vote against anymore imperialist wars, resist the increasing infestation of private business in public services, renationalise the railways and support measures to reverse the growing gap between rich and poor. Things that no doubt have wide support among the public, and the Labour Party membership.
But at present due to the rushed nature of the whole now known to be needless electioneering, the only way to really guarantee that there will be at least one socialist up for selection is to throw my own hat into the ring.
So I'm toying with what to do, personally I'm split on the issue, I have little experience with how the local party functions or what would be involved and so would rely heavily on the support of other comrades.
If there were several other people nominated, it would sort itself out, and the party would decide if I was experienced enough or not. But there is the possibility that I may one of just a small handful of nominees, or worst case scenario the only person put forward. Leaving party members with only one option - to vote for me. Which isn't exactly the ideal test of democracy.
What to do... Any thoughts?
6th October 2007 17:54:58, 233 words, 311 views
9 comments
Labour desperately needs more left wing candidates and if you're the only chap to give Yeovil a chance of one then go for it.
I've stood for selection for a local council candidacy before without any experience of selection meetings and got selected, so you never know what might happen.
If you get selected or not it should provide you with some great experience.
I've seen some advice before on what to expect on MPurl. If you do intend to stand the I think the first thing you need to do is inform the Labour branch chair.
Speaking to Ward chairs and individual members to garner support is a good idea also.
Best of luck!
Either way, i am sure it would be a wonderful experience to stand though if you do decide to do so you must be prepared to give up a lot of your time to campaigning and public appearances. It will be very draining but worth it all the same! Just let me know before the deadline, but if you want more information don't hesitate to ask!
Good luck with it if you do decide to have a go.
Ian
Tips: Get a membership list early, and someone who has experience of writing campaign literature to write your stuff. Do some phone canvassing too, because you will get longer conversations than on the doorstep: golden.
Be careful with your use of language. While it is perfectly reasonable to suggest that you wouldn't vote for a war on Iran, accusing a government that many in the centre of the party support (despite opposing such a war) of imperialism may not be the best way to get selected. :op
While it is important to be honest and to win the arguments, the most important thing of all is that you win.
Best of luck.
PS. I don't pretend to havbe done this before, I speak only in my capacity as an active CLP member.
I think you should put your name forward.
If it would be helpful, do drop me an e-mail, I've run selection and election campaigns in the past and am happy to answer questions/offer ideas.
To quote it:
Prince George: I say, Blackadder, what a ghastly squit! He's not going to win, is he?
Edmund: No, sir, because, firstly, we shall fight this campaign on issues, not personalities. Secondly, we shall be the only fresh thing on the menu. And thirdly, of course, we'll cheat.
You should be in this for the long haul,I have lived in Yeovil for a long time and the Lib/Dems under Ashdown worked hard for ten years and were very oppotunist. They campaigned on dogshit and white lines.Please don't think i am sugesting you do the same. At the time Labour were very unpopular and the Lib/Dems seemed to be the only party to be able to beat the Tories in Yeovil.
The question is,can you present a socialist perspective and be selected?
Have you any support within the local party? I have read most of your blogs and believe that the LRC is the way forward. You need to contact the trade unions locally and the Yeovil TUC.Good Luck fraternally B.B.
There a couple of people I know in the party who are left leaning, who I'm sure would support me. But I haven't as of yet asked people if they are planning on supporting me formally, or helping me campaign.
There's one other person up for selection.
No doubt my biggest weakness is my lack of contacts with trade unions and the like, only being with the party a short time will no doubt work against me.