UPDATE— CALDER VALLEY LABOUR PPC SELECTION
Several hundred people engaged with my ‘late application for Calder Valley PPC selection’ post (online and in person!) but it wasn’t enough to persuade the CLP committee to include me or even really to explain why not 😞. Because I have zero power within the CLP (outsider) I don’t expect anything to change in respect to either point. The selection process is underway and unless something seismic occurs, the next Calder Valley PPC will be selected from the original 16 applicants.
We lost the battle but something good and unstoppable will come of this.
I learned much over the last few days (maybe too much) about ‘the system’ and even though I’m certain they’ve arrived at the wrong decision (If I didn’t believe this I wouldn’t have tried) I want to reiterate that I’m also certain that:
- the Labour Party is a brilliantly democratic organisation based on the hard work of volunteers who are making what they believe to be the right decisions
- disunity won’t fix a flawed PPC selection process
THE FUTURE
Socialism and the Labour Party have been on the back foot in the UK for many years, the public perception of politicians is low, voter apathy is high. My heart breaking PPC experience has made me more determined than ever to help shake up this system. I’ve promised my new found supporters that if any unforeseen opportunity arises, I will be better prepared and in a stronger position to beat the system next time.
WHAT I DID
Submitted late application (reasons beyond my control) ✓
Notified CLP secretary ✓
Notified CLP procedures secretary ✓
Notified CLP branches ✓
Launched campaign for inclusion via Medium, Facebook, Twitter + email ✓
WHAT NOW?
Accepted Procedure Secretary decision ✓
Ended my campaign for inclusion ✓
Keep my social media pages alive ✓
Continue to fight for Labour, engage with the wider electorate ✓
Act decisively if/when a new opportunity arises ✓
WHY BOTHER?
1 — HIGH STAKES
10 or more seats changing from blue to red at the next general election will likely make the difference between a Labour or Conservative government.
2 — CRAIG WHITTAKER IS BEATABLE
We’ve lost 3 consecutive general elections here. The right campaign + right candidate could change this.
3 – I’M A POWERFUL VOICE
Read my pitch here. If I wasn’t from Calder Valley and have something to offer, I wouldn’t be doing this.
4 — CHOICE
Calder Valley — Labour Party members and the electorate — deserve the best possible political choices, the process should be designed to achieve that.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Connect with me on facebook
- Connect with me on twitter
- READ MY PITCH
