Left-wing group Momentum suffers series of selection defeats
2 min read
The left-wing campaign group Momentum is failing to win selections for Labour seats across the country, new analysis reveals.
According to the Guardian, candidates backed by the group have only secured seven out of 29 recent selections.
Momentum has caused tensions within Labour since its formation over moves to oust more moderate figures from the party.
In Haringey, activists were accused of orchestrating a takeover of the council by forcing out more centrist councillors and replacing them with Momentum-backed candidates.
The group’s founder Jon Lansman, who has just been elected to Labour’s powerful ruling body, has said deselections of MPs is not on the cards, adding that they will be safe as long as they work hard listen to their members.
But the new analysis suggests Momentum may not be as powerful a force as is sometimes claimed.
A source from within the group told the Guardian: “In one breath our critics will say we’re taking over the party and then in another, claim Momentum aren’t doing very well at getting candidates selected.
“What’s really happening is that Labour members are, and always have been, intelligent, independently-minded people who will pick the candidate they think best represents their constituency.
“This has resulted not in a hostile takeover but in a diverse range of candidates being selected across the country.”
Richard Angell, the director of the Labour centrist group Progress, warned against mandatory deselections of sitting MPs.
“There is clearly no demand for it and Labour members from all wings want to focus on beating the Tories, not infighting,” he said.
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