THE act of choosing the Labour Party's next parliamentary candidate for the new Whitehaven and Workington constituency is descending into chaos, with one high-profile local figure branding the process a ‘farce’.

In the past week, two candidates have resigned from the race, leaving only two: Markus Campbell-Savours and Josh MacAlister.

There has been widespread criticism from grassroots members locally, at what some have branded a ‘fixed game’ and ‘complete mess’.

Tensions first began to bubble in May, when the entire committee of Copeland’s Labour group resigned in a furious row over Cumberland councillor Joe Ghayouba being omitted from the selection long list.

In a statement at the time Mr Ghayouba said he was 'incredibly disappointed and 'quite frankly angered' by this 'undemocratic decision' by party officials.

Cllr Ghayouba said: “Two pieces of evidence were put forward at my due diligence interview which blocked me.

"One a screenshot from a criminal councillor and screenshots of a conversation I had regarding the IHRA definition and examples, a discussion that broke no Labour rules."

Last week, the shortlist of candidates was unveiled. It included Cumberland councillor Gillian Troughton, Cumberland councillor Markus Campbell-Savours, former Labour MP Thomas Docherty and social work charity founder Josh MacAlister.

Last Wednesday, June 14, Cllr Gillian Troughton, the only woman on the list, resigned from the process, calling it ‘disenfranchising’ and ‘frustrating’.

In an email to Labour members, seen by The Whitehaven News, Cllr Troughton said she was withdrawing from the contest, raising concerns over the fairness of the process, with claims that it had been 'skewed to benefit certain candidates'.

Cllr Troughton also said it was a 'shock' to hear that the selection process would take place on the old ‘Copeland’ constituency boundaries – excluding party members in Workington.

The email said: “Having been a candidate at both council and parliamentary elections previously, I have always considered it a great honour to represent the Labour Party.

"Sadly, on this occasion I have found the selection process frustrating and ultimately disenfranchising.

“For months, members in both the Copeland and Workington constituencies made enquiries within the Labour Party to establish when the selection process would start.

"We were told by sources at regional and national level that it could not take place until the autumn due to the planned boundary changes.

“This gave local candidates reassurance that they had months left to share the message of their intention to stand and meet members. It therefore came as a shock to hear that the party were not only starting the process in May but would also be selecting on the old ‘Copeland’ constituency boundaries.

“The new ‘Whitehaven and Workington’ boundaries are due be ratified by Parliament next month. The NEC’s decision to start the process early means nearly 200 party members in Workington will have no say in who is to represent them at the next election.

"Sadly, the sudden decision to change the selection timetable has created the impression that candidates such as myself, have not made the effort to contact members.”

In the following days, members of the Labour Party in Workington appealed to shortlisted candidates in the party’s parliamentary selection process to ‘help’ 200 of the party’s members in Workington have a say in who will be the party's general election candidate in 2024.

The secretary of Workington Constituency Labour Party wrote to the three remaining shortlisted candidates - Markus Campbell-Savours, Thomas Docherty and Josh MacAlister - to ask them to appeal to the national party and ‘stand in solidarity’ with the Workington members.

In responses seen by the News & Star, the candidates all expressed sympathy, with one candidate, Markus Campbell-Savours, suggesting that all three collectively withdraw from the race until the issue was resolved.

Then over the weekend the process was hit by another bombshell. A second candidate, Thomas Docherty, withdrew from the race, saying that he wanted to spend more time with his family.

In a statement Mr Docherty said: "I have today withdrawn from the Copeland Labour selection contest.

"I am incredibly grateful to all of those people inside and outside the Labour Party who have encouraged and supported me.

"I have been touched by the generosity of those who have actively supported me, endorsed me, or voted for me to date.

"I understand that many people will speculate on my reasons.

"However, I just want to spend some time with my family, away from party politics with an extended break from social media, and I am not going to comment further."

Former parliamentary Labour candidate from 2019 Tony Lywood has branded the process a ‘complete mess’.

Mr Lywood said: “Many people have already voted by post for candidates that are no longer standing.

"It’s preposterous and a nonsense. The Copeland selection process is now a complete mess.

“The exclusion of Cllr Joseph Ghayouba and all those in the Workington wards has made this process an absolute farce. It needs to be restarted once the Constituency Labour Parties have been merged.”

A Labour spokesperson said: “The process to select a candidate in Copeland has taken place in line with the timetable set out and overseen by the NEC.

"Members will shortly choose from an excellent shortlist of candidates the person they want to be their next Labour MP.

“The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and, when made are investigated in line with our policies and procedures.”