Labour selections in Shropshire

10.08.00am GMT Sat 29th Jul 2006

News reaches me that Labour have now started their selection process in two West Midlands seats - Shrewsbury & Atcham and The Wrekin.

Labour has only won Shrewsbury & Atcham twice - in 1997 and again in 2001 with Paul Marsden MP who then defected the Liberal Democrats - before de-defecting (is this a word?), shortly before the 2005 General Election. The Conservatives now hold the seat with a majority of 1,808 votes over Labour - since that General Election Labour have lost a Council seat to the Liberal Democrats who had one of their best results in Shrewsbury for many years in 2005. The deadline for applications is 29 August, shortlisting meeting is 21 October and hustings meeting is 4 November.

The Wrekin is also advertising and has more of a checkered political history. The Conservatives now hold the seat with a majority of 942 votes over Labour. The seat will select from an all woman shortlist. The deadline for applications is 29 August, shortlisting meeting is 14 October and hustings meeting is 28 October.

I personally cannot see Labour winning either seat back at the next General Election. I am told the previous Labour candidate in Shrewsbury Mike Ion will not be re-standing and I know the Labour Party there are quite demoralised there. As for the all woman shortlist in The Wrekin - do they not learn, just look at Blaenau Gwent.