Candidate Watch

[Filuwaúrdjan]

So who draws up the shortlist? And who decides what seats have to use an all-women shortlist? And who draws up an open list?

You apply to be a candidate, the local party then chooses the candidates it'll consider and then the membership (and affliated union block votes) pick a candidate from the shortlist.
It's a bit more complicated than that (internal Party stuff always is...) but that's a good summary.
The national Party can block candidates IIRC (and pressure is sometimes put on CLP's to keep nutters off the shortlists) and after a certain point (a few weeks before the election IIRC) they can impose candidates instead (which is why there's ususally a flurry of late retirements, accopanied by a seat in the Lords usually).

[minionofmidas]

And who decides what seats have to use an all-women shortlist?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

And who decides what seats have to use an all-women shortlist?

The N.E.C IIRC

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The LibDem candidate in Staffordshire South (rock solid Tory seat) has died after a short illness.
The election in Staffordshire South has been cancelled and a by-election will be held next month.

Very sad.

[Silent Hunter]

The LibDem candidate in Staffordshire South (rock solid Tory seat) has died after a short illness.
The election in Staffordshire South has been cancelled and a by-election will be held next month.

Very sad.

My thoughts are with the family.

[minionofmidas]

They're cancelling the election for that? Why not just hold a by-election if he wins?

My condolences btw.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Returning officer has to have 28 days to make sure nothing dodgy happend

[minionofmidas]

As in, murder? Or what?
I hate it when they block you from posting through that strange 30 seconds rule. It often does not help to wait 30 seconds when you get that message.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

As in, murder? Or what?

Basically. No real need for it nowadays though. One of those strange leftovers IIRC.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

It's a pain isn't it?

[Rural Radical]

Staffordshire South

This will be an interesting event. the same as a national by election with every Labour/Lib Dem/Conservative activist and MP pouring into it in a mid june event. Plus a raft of fringe candidates.

Ithink the cons majority is abiut 6-7000.

Could be a lot closer.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Has the potential to be a suprisingly interesting seat that one. I live pretty near it so I'll probably be handing out leaflets in the by-election.