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LABOUR activists and unions today called on Welsh Labour to reconsider its decision to run a parliamentary candidate selection process through an online-only ballot, calling it undemocratic.
The decision by the party’s Welsh executive committee (WEC) for the election of the parliamentary candidate for the new constituency of Merthyr Tydfil and Upper Cynon has met with criticism.
Cynon Valley MP Beth Winter said it was not a matter of “left versus right,” but about an undemocratic process that disenfranchises members.
“Members should raise their concerns and write to their branch and constituency secretaries, the WEC, Welsh Labour and the national executive committee,” Ms Winter said.
The Socialist Campaign Group MP also said that she was considering her options, and that at this stage “nothing is off the table.”
Unison Cymru/Wales Labour Link officer Steve Belcher said: “Unison is disappointed at this decision as we feel it disenfranchises a sizeable portion of the electorate and we would urge Welsh Labour to reconsider.”
According to a source at the meeting, the proposals, including a campaign period of just two weeks, with no in-person hustings or union nominations, were presented by party officials before a vote was taken by email — unusually, in secret.
Unison tried to amend the officials’ timetable to run for a 28-day process, with an in-person hustings meeting with voting on the day and a postal vote facility for those unable to attend.
Welsh Labour leader Mark Drakeford supported the Unison amendments, as did Unite, the CWU and the Musicians Union.
A Welsh Labour Grassroots spokesperson said: “There is no MP in Wales — or anywhere else, for that matter — who works harder for her community or is more principled than Beth Winter.
“The selection in Merthyr and Upper Cynon will inevitably be very politically charged and it’s not a good look for Welsh Labour to have adopted a process that is strikingly unusual and limits the opportunities for full democratic engagement by party members.”
Ms Winter has already been reselected to defend her present constituency of Cynon Valley, as has Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MP Gerald Jones.
Mr Jones has welcomed the process and said he was looking forward to speaking to members.
Welsh Labour was asked to comment.
