When we said we supported mandatory reselection, we didn’t mean us.

We have seen how the attitude of former ‘mandatory reselection’ supporting MP, Sam Tarry changed when he lost a trigger ballot in Redbridge. Tarry will now have to fight for his seat in an open selection process.

We see that the Labour Party in Tower Hamlets voted by a massive majority, (only one branch voted against) to trigger an open selection process in the seat of Poplar and Limehouse. And, we hear the same refrain. Apsana Begum, another supporter of ex-Leader Jeremy Corbyn seems to think that while other MPs should face mandatory reselection, she shouldn’t. Begum was cleared of housing fraud in an action brought against her by Tower Hamlets Council in 2021. She is currently not at work in parliament, as she is off sick, suffering from criticism.

Both MPs in Newham seem to be immune from this threat because the Labour Party still doesn’t trust the local parties in East and West Ham to run their own affairs.