Labour parties still in special measures

Councillor Zahid Chauhan . . . “Labour has entered a new chapter”

OLDHAM’S two constituency Labour parties remain in “special measures” — allowing the national party to ensure undue influence doesn’t affect selection of candidates.

The move goes back to July 2013, when Labour leader Ed Miliband revealed that 14 constituency parties across the UK were such measures - meaning new members would be vetted and selection procedures centrally controlled to ensure rules and regulations would be followed.

Both Oldham East and Saddleworth and Oldham West and Royton were named on the list - a “naming” that remains today.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Constituency parties are never placed in special measures lightly. There are a very small number of parties in special measures, and this allows us to ensure party rules are being followed. The regional party will judge when the CLP is in a position for special measures to be lifted.”

In July 2013 one website claimed that in 1999, Labour’s regional office received complaints of irregularities in council candidate selection in Oldham. It is possible both of Oldham’s constituencies have been under special measures since then, but this hasn’t been confirmed. The review into the 2001 Oldham riots also referred to “local selection irregularities”.

Councillor Zahid Chauhan, chair of the Oldham West and Royton constituency party, said Labour has entered a new chapter: “Oldham’s two constituencies were put into special measures as part of a robust process to ensure there was no possibility that undue influence could affect the selection of candidates.

“As subsequent local elections have shown, the choices of candidates made by Labour have proved extremely popular with the people of Oldham. We are aiming to make sure we listen more to our membership on the ground.

“While other parties give little or no voice to their membership, Labour is striving to create an environment where every voice matters and fairness in the selection procedure is ensured.”