Selection of Prospective Parliamentary Candidates
Functions of the CLP include selecting the local Labour Party candidate for a national parliamentary General Election.
Where there is a sitting Labour MP, the CLP organises a 'trigger ballot' to decide whether it wishes to carry out the full selection procedure outlined below or simply endorse the sitting MP as their candidate at the next election. It is unusual for a sitting MP to 'lose' their trigger ballot.
In the event that the MP is from an opposition Party, the sitting MP is retiring or has lost their trigger ballot a full selection is organised. The CLP must follow the procedures agreed by the National Executive Committee including whether or not the selection will be carried out from an open or all-women shortlist.
The CLP can choose whether or not to select a candidate on the Labour Party's Panel of approved candidates. However, should the CLP select a candidate not on the Panel its decision is subject to the National Executive Committee retrospectively satisfying itelf that the candidate reaches the standard required to join the Panel.
In this and other circumstances (for example new information emerging about a candidate subsequent to their selection) the National Executive Committee has exercised its power to block a CLPs initial choice of candidate, which has on occasion proved controversial.
Read more about this topic: Constituency Labour Party
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