Ealing Southall MP Could Face Deselection

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Virendra Sharma becomes sixth Labour MP to have been 'triggered'

The Ealing Southall MP, Virendra Sharma, will face a full selection process to be Labour's candidate for the next election after losing a third 'trigger' vote.

Last month, Elthorne and Southall Broadway branches of the party voted heavily in favour of triggering - meaning the sitting representative is not automatically reselected.

Initially those first two votes were declared “null and void” by Labour’s London regional office after complaints about the process were received. But the results were later reinstated

Last night (Tuesday 15 October), Norwood Green, where the MP himself lives – also voted  and the threshold for triggering has now been reached.

Mr Sharma, who has represented Southall since 2007 will automatically be included in the shortlist of the ensuing selection process. It's been reported that the chair of the local party, London Assembly Member Dr Onkar Sahota, is vying to replace the sitting MP as the candidate.

Mr Sharma told the New Statesman, ''This campaign has been marred by irregularities, serious enough for the Regional Director to rule the process null and void. Unfortunately the NEC, or their spokespeople, have overruled the Regional Director and reinstated the result for political purposes.

“As a candidate who came to this country with nothing, worked as a bus conductor, and through the trades union movement became politically involved, I represent Ealing Southall. I represent the dreams of millions who came to this country, but unfortunately because I am not ideologically pure enough a hard left core have chosen to trigger me. I will stand in any full selection and I stand to win because I know I am the right person to represent Ealing Southall.”

Other Labour MPs who have been 'triggered' are Margaret Hodge, Diane Johnson, Roger Godsiff Emma Lewell-Buck and Kate Osamor.

 

16 October 2019