Four people are challenging Ian Byrne for the Labour nomination for his Liverpool West Derby Parliamentary seat, the ECHO understands.
Yesterday Croxteth Councillor Anthony Lavelle confirmed he will be standing against Mr Byrne in the Labour selection process after making the party's long list.
The selection process has been triggered after local branches voted to hold a process that would allow others to challenge the incumbent Member of Parliament for the Labour nomination ahead of the next General Election.
It means that Mr Byrne, who was elected for West Derby at the 2019 General Election and was this year named MP of the year now faces a fight for his political future.
READ MORE: Liverpool councillor to challenge Ian Byrne for West Derby nomination
Confirming his listing, 26-year-old Cllr Lavelle said: "West Derby constituency is the only place I want to represent. It’s the place I grew up - the place I went to school - the place I got my first job and the place I bought my first home. I am looking forward to the opportunity to speak to local party members over the coming weeks about why I want to be their voice in Parliament."
While Cllr Lavelle will be seen as the main challenger to Mr Byrne in the selection fight, he is not the only one to be named on the long list of candidates.
The ECHO understands the long list also includes David Bridson, who is a Labour councillor in the London borough of Lambeth.
Also on that list is Kimberley Whitehead, who is the shadow cabinet member for environmental services on Hyndburn Council in Lancashire. She is also the Hyndburn Constituency Labour Party secretary.
Announcing the news on twitter yesterday, Cllr Whitehead said: "Delighted to have been longlisted for the Parliamentary seat of Liverpool West Derby and looking forward to the experience."
The final name making up the five person long-list - which Mr Byrne is on automatically as the sitting MP - is Gillian Wood, a Labour Councillor representing the ward of Claughton on Wirral Council. Cllr Wood was first elected to Wirral Council in 2017.
With the long list now established, a selection committee made up of local members and affiliated unions will whittle the names down to a shortlist.
The West Derby Constituency Labour party members will then cast their votes and decide who they want to be their candidate and the likely Member of Parliament at the next General Election. It is expected the process will be completed by the end of November.
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