Candidate selection day

Today we select the person who will represent the local Labour Party at the next general election. In all probability they will become our next MP in Westminster and will have to represent the views of everyone in the constituency.
A few short months ago our constituency Labour Party (CLP) debated the benefits of all women shortlists (AWS). This is something the Labour Party remains committed to in order to address the male/female imbalance in Westminster. Our CLP, and I also subscribe to this view, overwhelmingly came out against AWS. The reason being that we felt that we just wanted the best candidate to represent us and that their gender (my daughter informs me there are now 31 recognised genders - but that's another story) should not be a deciding factor.  This view was seemingly the view of most of those who attended the meeting and of many (if not all) of our executive committee.

Now wind forward to where we are today.  We are on the cusp of deciding our next representative.  Many of us in the CLP have yet to meet or talk to the 4 (sorry - I think that should be 3!) candidates. So the hustings today (doors are locked at 2pm) is our chance to meet them all and make our choice.  Of course one of the candidates is well known to many people locally, though not to all. Paul Farmer may or may not be the best candidate to represent us, but I don't want to pre-empt what the others have to offer. Our executive committee have been actively supporting and promoting Paul Farmer. They clearly want him to be our candidate. Paul has run an impressive campaign on social media and produced a quality leaflet that was posted to all members - some have commented on the fact it was not printed in Cornwall, but I know from my own experience that local printers are not always able to do this kind of work at short notice. He has also had a team of people, apparently based across Cornwall telephoning members canvassing for their vote. This is something the other candidates have not been able to match, but does that make them less worthy of being your MP?

I remind you that our executive committee wanted 'the best person to represent the constituency', yet they have openly promoted one candidate above all others (as they have also done with the NEC elections). Are they making sure that the voice of the many is being heard? Are they making sure we have a democratic process where we can all make a fair decision? Are all grassroots members (that's all of us by the way) free to have their say and have their views respected.

Today we choose between 3 candidates - I understand that Fiona Dent has withdrawn, though there has been no official notification from the CLP exec or the selection committee. Two of them  (Sophie Johnson and Paul Raybould) have experience of standing for parliament before and all the candidates have a vast amount to offer, that is why your selection committee chose them – to make sure we get the best candidate.

I urge all CLP members to come along and meet the candidates, come with an open mind and make sure you have a say in choosing who will represent us all at the next election.