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.
Graham R Winter
Former Labour candidate for Camborne Redruth and Hayle June 2017
Saturday, 2 December 2017
Sunday, 19 November 2017
November 2017 Parliamentary Candidate selection for Camborne & Redruth
Today I was invited to be interviewed to be on the shortlist of candidates for Camborne, Redruth & Hayle. This is the statement I read to the selection committee.
I was proud to have been selected as the Labour candidate
for the June election. I applied because it was something I had been
considering for some time and although I accept that the opportunity had
perhaps come a little earlier than I would have liked, I was pleased to have
been able to throw myself at the opportunity. It was a huge learning curve for
me and for those around me, even with the campaigning experience I already had
and my experience of being a local town councillor. I would again, like to place on record my
thanks to those that worked for me and alongside me during that campaign.
Without the support of the executive committee, the active CLP members and my
family, we would not have come anywhere near as close as we did. A result that was a surprise to many. We had one of the largest swings to Labour in
the country and now we must go on and win this seat from the Tories.
The campaign was exhausting, but at least I did not have to
maintain my employment during that short campaign and I was able to put on hold
my duties as a Town councillor to some extent.
Since the election I have found it difficult to get back into work mode
and as some of you know, my work takes me away from Cornwall on a regular
basis. But having had to take 6 weeks
unpaid leave for the election, for now at least my work has necessarily become
my main focus. As a town councillor I am
on 6 committees, which is also a huge commitment. It is a commitment I enjoy
and do not wish to relinquish, at least until I can be confident that I have
achieved something for the town.
Most of you will know my political thoughts and where I
stand on most issues. I stand on the left of the party. But I do not think that
the Labour party should only be a party of the far left. It needs to maintain a
broad range of views. It needs this in order to have a useful debate and to
engage with the widest possible electorate.
It makes me feel uncomfortable when people with skills and experience
within the party are overlooked for people with little or no experience just
because they belong to a certain
faction. Even if we do not agree with
another person’s views, the debate can make us all stronger and we can all
learn from the experiences of others, good or bad. This attitude, of rejecting knowledge in
favour of inexperience and the unknown,
is in my view short sighted and will only continue to lead to further division
in the party. I urge you all to not let internal divisions be the reason we
fail to elect a Labour MP here. Working together, respecting the views of
others, embracing all those that want to help us, as well as activating new
members is the way we will win.
I consider the role of candidate a full time job, something
that requires a great deal of work for whoever is privileged to take it on.
They will need a strong team behind them and they will need to work tirelessly
until the next election. But there is no certainty over when the next election
will be. It would be a great honour to be selected as the candidate, but for me
it is not the right time. At this moment in time I do not feel that I would be
able to dedicate myself to the role in the way that is required or that the
people of Camborne, Redruth & Hayle deserve. Right now my job and my role
as town councillor and my family deserve my full attention. It is therefore, with regret that I now
withdraw my application and wish the other applicants well in their campaigns.
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