WORKINGTON Labour Party members have said that if their votes had been accepted during last weekend's MP selection process, it could have changed the outright winner.

The selection of the party's candidate for the newly-created Whitehaven and Workington parliamentary constituency was held within Copeland, controversially sidelining Workington members.

Josh MacAlister, a former teacher and charity worker, was selected over local councillor Markus Campbell-Savours to stand as the candidate for the new constituency following a selection meeting on Saturday, June 17.

The contest has been branded a ‘farce’ by members locally, with a group from Workington protesting outside of the selection count at Cleator Moor Civic Hall over the weekend - despite threats of expulsion from the national party.

Proposed boundary changes would see several wards from the current Workington constituency combined with a larger proportion of Copeland constituency to create the new seat; however, 200 Workington members were not allowed to vote in the process.

Following the candidate selection in Whitehaven, Workington members said: “We know that there are more votes in the Workington ballot box than is the difference between the two candidates within the Copeland box.

“We believe that, in real terms, Markus Campbell-Savours would be the outright winner if the Workington votes were counted.”

The selection comes at the end of a fractious process which saw several candidates pull out, one candidate barred and the resignation of the entire Copeland party executive.

Sir Keir Starmer's centralised leadership of the party was also labelled 'out of touch'.

Workington Conservative MP Mark Jenkinson weighed in on the argument, claiming the process suggested that the national Labour Party has ‘little faith’ in west Cumbrian people and have imposed a national candidate.

He said: “The national Labour Party has robbed west Cumbria of any meaningful choice, imposing their own candidate.

“If the national party won’t listen to their rank-and-file members, they categorically won’t listen to the voters.

“They told Workington party members to ‘be quiet’ about not having a say in the potential future of our town, threatening them with expulsion.”

A Labour party spokesman said: “The process to select a candidate in Copeland has taken place in line with the timetable set out and overseen by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

"The local party have now chosen Josh MacAlister as their candidate after a hustings meeting attended by local members.”

“Josh has a history of fighting against inequality, in the classroom as a teacher, in setting up a national charity, and in leading the Independent Review of Children’s Social Services, a landmark government commissioned review which delivered £200m for vulnerable children.

"He has a track record of delivering for those in need and will make a fantastic Labour MP.”