Labour Faces Backlash Over Deselection of Left-Wing Candidates Ahead of General Election

Faiza Shaheen, Labour’s candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green, has been deselected due to past social media posts, in what critics are calling a “purge” of the party’s most left-wing candidates. Shadow minister Darren Jones refuted claims of a purge, stating that left-leaning MPs were still standing. Shaheen’s deselection, along with Lloyd Russell-Moyle’s by Labour’s national executive committee, has stirred controversy, particularly over Diane Abbott’s candidacy. Abbott criticized the decisions, questioning the motive behind removing left-wing candidates.

Local Labour parties will now see candidates appointed by the national executive committee rather than through local or regional offices, with the general election just weeks away. The party has selected several senior allies of Keir Starmer and other notable figures, including journalist Paul Waugh and Camden council leader Georgia Gould.

In an interview with Newsnight, Shaheen expressed shock at her deselection, highlighting her dedication to the campaign even shortly after childbirth. While the Labour Party has not specified the posts leading to her deselection, Shaheen mentioned apologizing for liking a tweet with anti-Semitic tropes and another post about her experiences with Islamophobia. The Labour Muslim Network condemned her deselection, calling it “unacceptable.”

This news follows confusion over Diane Abbott’s re-election prospects, with Abbott expressing her intent to remain an MP as long as possible. A LabourList poll indicated strong support for Abbott’s candidacy. Meanwhile, Lloyd Russell-Moyle’s suspension from the party is under investigation, drawing criticism from local sources who praised his efforts against Green Party threats.

Momentum labeled the deselections a “purge” targeting left-wing women of color. Daily Mirror associate editor Jason Beattie described Starmer’s actions as a “ruthless re-alignment” more extensive than Tony Blair’s, emphasizing Starmer’s drive to position the party in the center ground.

Supporters of Shaheen criticized the process as “devious” and disruptive to her campaign efforts. Labour was unavailable for immediate comment, but an official stated the need to manage the news promptly to avoid future distractions. A party spokesperson highlighted the selection of strong candidates for the upcoming general election on July 4, emphasizing the urgency due to the surprise summer election called by the Prime Minister.