The Labour selection of candidates for the 2026 borough election by a special force of assessors from outside the borough appointed by the London Region of the Labour Party, seems to be in trouble. Applicants, after a delay last week have now been told that interviews been not been rescheduled, despite hopes that selection would be completed by July 31st. No decisions have been made as yet and no rank and file Brent Labour Party members have been involved.
If that is not enough to get them biting their nails, applicants will be jumping through hoops for the assessors in order to demonstrate their skills. These do not include demonstrating their political thinking skills or their independence of thought.
Instead they will be expected to demonstrate their 'doorstep skills' by taking part in canvassing, their pavement pounding skills, by delivering leaflets and brown nosing skills by getting involved in local Labour Party branch meetings and other activities.
Currently Alperton ward has two Lib Dem councillors and one Labour, and was of course once the seat of much respected Lib Dem Anton Georgiou. What's more natural then than Labour organising a mass litter pick in, yes, you've guessed it, Alperton. Candidates will be able to show their prowess at community involvement (even if it is only for a couple of hours this weekend).
Following the exemplary self-promotion of Cllrs Muhammed Butt and Krupa Sheth applicants will be expected to 'share updates and successes' of Brent Labour and the Council on their social media as well as those of Sadiq Khan and the Labour government. Among the suggested targets is the community website Next Door.
I hope this helps you prepare for the onslaught and perhaps escape for a day at the seaside.
Meanwhile intense dissatisfaction with the imposed selection process has been rife, Here is an example shared to Labour Party members:
As the days and weeks pass by, we have no dates for interviews, no shortlist and no idea who our candidates will be. Contrast this with the 2022 election where the LCF produced a manifesto and shortlist, and the selection process was managed by our CLP and two lay members. They managed this in difficult circumstances as ward boundaries had been redrawn and this had delayed the process. Two lay members sacrificing their time and energy to ensure that we fielded strong candidates have outperformed the bureaucrats at the London Regional Labour Party who should be hanging their heads in shame. A tragedy and a farce and no way to treat lay members or potential councillors.
