Deselect This

No Labour MP has been deselected under Jeremy Corbyn. Not one. But for Nick Boles, and now also for Dominic Grieve, it is all over bar the paperwork. In Grieve's case, the whole thing has been organised by Jon Conway, who was the UKIP candidate against him in 2017. 

No one who had been, say, a Green parliamentary candidate in 2017 would now be running the Constituency Labour Party for the seat in question. It is highly unlikely that such a person would be allowed in the Labour Party at all. 

Take it from one who knows, having done an awful lot less than that, an awful lot longer ago. Not that I am complaining. Politically, it has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. But Labour really does not allow entryism, even by someone as obscure and innocuous as I am.

The Conservatives, on the other hand, would apparently now have no members at all if they were even mildly picky about whom to admit. And that state of affairs is now beginning to show itself in the selection of parliamentary candidates for safe seats.

Meanwhile, notice that whenever an Establishment MP is in difficulties with his or her local party, then the rest of them all come out in support, entirely regardless of party. If it is not #BLUKIP, then it is that old racket.

Another hung Parliament is coming, however, and we need our people to hold the balance of power in it. It has become a local commonplace that I am on 30-30-30 with Labour and the Conservatives here at North West Durham, so that any one of us could be the First Past the Post. I will stand for this seat, if I can raise the £10,000 necessary to mount a serious campaign. Please email davidaslindsay@hotmail.com. Very many thanks.