At a meeting on Saturday 8th February Wells Labour members opted to support Rebecca Long Bailey in the party’s leadership election. They also backed Angela Rayner in the deputy leader election.
The debate was lively with members expressing support for all the candidates in both elections. Several members were concerned about how the media might treat the candidates. Others wanted to consider how voters might respond to the candidates. Many members wanted a candidate that reflected the party’s history, and members.
Some members felt that the relationship between the leader and deputy leader would be an important issue. Other important factors, raised by members, included the skills and profile of the candidates and the ability of the candidates to reach out into the constituencies.
Many members stressed the importance of accepting the result of the elections. So while we think that Rebecca and Angela will make an excellent leadership team, our constituency party will be keen to work with whoever the members elect.
Constituency Labour Parties across the country are holding meetings to decide which of the Leader and Deputy Leader candidates should go forward to the members ballot. Members will get the final choice of new leader and deputy leader in a ballot. Ballot papers will be issued from 24th February, and must be returned by 2nd April. The result will be announced at a special conference on 4th April.