MEMBERS of the Workington Constituency Labour Party continue to lobby the national party for a vote in the parliamentary selection process - after seemingly being denied the chance by the party’s executive.

Yesterday, June 7, the only female candidate shortlisted to stand for the new Whitehaven and Workington constituency, resigned from the race after saying she was ‘shocked’ to see members in the town of Workington would not be allowed to vote.

In a resignation letter seen by the Times & Star, Mrs Troughton said: “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.”

Cumberland councillor for St Michael’s ward, Workington Barbara Cannon has also written a letter to Labour’s general secretary David Evans warning of a ‘strategic mistake’ from the national party.

The letter said: “In the 2019 election, ‘Workington man’ became the demographic that the Conservatives targeted in the ‘Red Wall’ constituencies. To disregard this now is, in my opinion, a strategic mistake.”

One local member also suggested that the process has been made by the national party to try and impose an outside candidate onto the seat.

In a letter to the Times & Star, the member said: “Many in the party now believe that this decision, made by the party’s National Executive Committee, is driven by their desire to impose a pre-selected preferred candidate against the will of the local membership.”

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.”