Labour advertise to select in Wyre Forest

10.17.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 21st Oct 2006

Labour have started the selection process for Wyre Forest. Dr. Richard Taylor of Health Concern is the current MP, although it would appear that Dr. Taylor will be standing down next time. The Conservatives are currently second. The Liberal Democrats did not contest the seat in 2001 or 2005.

Labour's deadline for applications is 27 October and the Hustings meeting will take place on 16 December. I suspect this will not attract many high-fliers as Labour are high unlikely to win this seat back, ever, it was quite a surprise that Labour won in 1997 having only previously won in 1945.

As I mentioned the Liberal Democrats did not stand in 2001 and 2005, whilst I could see the logic - certainly in 2001 - I opposed us not standing at the time and think if anything it has done us great harm locally. I would certainly urge any local party to never consider not standing down for Independents, with the only exception being the Speakers Seat (and even then I would like a different system to sort that!)