Labour members criticise ‘parachuting’ candidate

Labour has been accused of “riding roughshod” over its local members after accusations it has “parachuted” its choice of candidate into a Welsh constituency.

The party confirmed on Friday that Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation think tank, will be its candidate for Swansea West.

Former Labour MP Beth Winter – who lost out on a new Welsh seat to another party frontbencher – said the move was “an insult to party members, an insult to Wales, and an affront to democracy”.

But Welsh Labour said the decision was made by a panel “formed by representatives from the Welsh executive committee and local members”.

The party’s former MP for Swansea West, Geraint Davies, was barred from standing again in the constituency pending an investigation into his behaviour.

Mr Bell was previously a special advisor to Alistair Darling while he was Labour’s chancellor.

Mr Bell said he was “excited to be Welsh Labour’s candidate for Swansea West and to be campaigning for a change Labour Party with Keir Starmer”.

But Ms Winter – who has demanded an independent review of a selection process that saw Gerald Jones beat her to be the candidate in the new constituency of Merthyr Tydfil and Upper Cynon – hit out at the move.

“In his leadership campaign, Starmer promised to end imposing candidates,” she said.

“He broke that promise.”

Local Swansea West members have also told BBC Wales they are “angry” and “disappointed” by the decision.

One local member said he was now “seriously questioning” his membership of the party – adding “I’m furious”.

“The party is riding roughshod over the core membership. It’s tone deaf.

“We have very good potential candidates who live and work here in Swansea, who have driven Swansea through some extremely difficult times in the last 14 years. To parachute someone in makes me extremely angry.”

Another local party member said they were “disappointed that the candidate has not been chosen by the [constituency Labour Party] panel in Swansea West and has no known connection to Swansea”.

“He’s a candidate who’s come from outside, and it would be better if we had someone who knows Swansea, and knows what Swansea needs,” they added.

BBC Wales also spoke to a member who warned it could have an impact on campaigning by local members, in a constituency that is considered a safe Labour seat.

“An outsider being parachuted in will make people very angry. In an area like this, local connections are very important. We are the local members of the party and we’re getting no voice in the selection of our MP,” they said.

With another saying it appeared that “UK Labour isn’t bothered about what we (local members) think.”

The outgoing MP, Geraint Davies, had represented the seat for 14 years, winning with a majority of 8,116 at the 2019 general election.

But Mr Davies has been barred from standing at this election as he remains suspended from the party, following accusations of “completely unacceptable behaviour”.

Mr Davies says he does not recognise the allegations against him and has criticised the Labour Party for the time its taken to investigate the case.

Meanwhile, Labour has also announced that its candidate for the Cardiff West constituency will be one of Keir Starmer’s senior aides, Alex Barros-Curtis, after former MP Kevin Brennan announced he would be standing down at this election.

A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to announce two brilliant candidates for change who will be outstanding representatives for their constituencies.

“We’re pleased that despite the expedited process, the panels were formed by representatives from the Welsh executive committee and local members.

“Torsten brings a wealth of experience in economic policy and tackling child poverty. He will be real champion for Swansea West.

“Alex has extensive legal experience and is a campaigner for social justice issues.”

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts, said the Mr Bell’s candidacy showed Labour was “taking Wales for granted”.

“We know that Keir Starmer likes to have an iron grip on selection processes and that he objects to a plurality of views within his party, and it now appears that this extends to who he is willing to have as Labour candidates in Wales,” she said.

The Conservative Party has been asked to comment.

Labour – Torsten Bell

Conservative – TBC

Plaid Cymru – Gwyn Williams

Liberal Democrats – Mike O’Carroll

Reform – Patrick Benham-Crosswell

Labour – Alex Barros-Curtis

Conservative – James Roberts Hamblin

Plaid Cymru – Kiera Marshall

Liberal Democrats – TBC

Reform – Peter Hopkins