Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne has urged local Labour members to back him after news emerged of those challenging him for his seat in Parliament.
Mr Byrne has been "triggered" by local members, which means he now faces a reselection battle to retain the Labour nomination for the party's very safe seat in Liverpool West Derby. He was elected to the seat at the 2019 General Election.
Over the weekend, the ECHO exclusively revealed that four people have been named on a long-list of potential candidates who are seeking to challenge Mr Byrne for the Labour nomination in West Derby.
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The main challenger will be Croxteth Councillor Anthony Lavelle, who confirmed he had been long-listed on Friday. The 26-year-old councillor 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."
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.
Speaking after the long-list was revealed, Mr Byrne told the ECHO that his desire to continue to represent the people of Liverpool West Derby.
He said: "I am proud to serve as West Derby MP and to represent my constituents in Parliament. As we face a devastating cost-of-living crisis that is deeply affecting West Derby, my constituency needs an experienced Labour MP who understands their needs, knows how to effectively represent them in Parliament and can help to secure a Labour Government at the next General Election.
"As West Derby’s Parliamentarian I am working for full state pension restitution to the thousands of 1950s-born women in West Derby, more council housing, local policing and drastically improved transport links. I consistently defend our NHS, my constituents’ right to a real living wage, to food and to protest, and I stand up for care workers, school staff, shop staff, carers, trade union rights and all workers in struggle.
“I am proud to have secured Government support to keep De La Salle Academy open, apprenticeship opportunities for West Derby’s young people and to be bringing a jobs fair to West Derby in May 2023. I am also currently making the case in Parliament for increased Government funding for West Derby’s youth services following 12 years of savage Tory cuts.
“As Chair of the Hillsborough Law Now Campaign, I am proud to have worked with Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram and Maria Eagle MP to secure Labour’s commitment to introduce a Hillsborough Law once in Government.
As part of his work on Hillsborough. Mr Byrne has today written to the Premier League to ask for an urgent meeting about "obscene chanting" about the 1989 disaster at matches and the league's duty of care to families and survivors.
Mr Byrne added: “With the ongoing support of West Derby Labour Party members I can continue this work and more for constituents in Parliament. I would like the opportunity to finish the work I have started and I would ask all West Derby Labour members to vote for Ian Byrne as their Labour Party candidate for West Derby in this selection process.”
As part of his work on Hillsborough. Mr Byrne has today written to the Premier League to ask for an urgent meeting about "obscene chanting" about the 1989 disaster at matches and the league's duty of care to families and survivors.
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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