NEC update

I'm grateful to some fellow Labour bloggers for these endorsements of my NEC candidacy (somewhat more eloquently argued than my own self-promotion), which I announced here last week:

Matthew Cain

Hopi Sen

Dave Cole

There's a Facebook group you can join if you are supporting me. Search for "Luke Akehurst for Labour's NEC" on Facebook to find it.

Meanwhile the Grassroots Alliance - the left slate - are selecting their six candidates. Last time there were two slots each for (approximately from left to right) the Labour Representation Committee (LRC), the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD) and Save the Labour Party (STLP). My understanding is that Labour Left Briefing is part of the LRC, whilst Socialist Action is involved in CLPD. There is considerable membership overlap between these organisations, but also rivalry and infighting over various arcane matters.

STLP held a ballot, closing on 7 November. I think this resulted in the selection of incumbent NEC members Ann Black and Peter Kenyon.

LRC are holding a vote at their AGM on Saturday to pick two from four: Calder Valley blogger Susan Press, incumbent NEC member Christine Shawcroft, Westmorland & Lonsdale PPC John Wiseman, and Islington North CLP Chair Garry Heather.

It's the CLPD slots that are most interesting. The big rumour is that Ken Livingstone is running. If this was the case it implies that veteran activist Pete Willsman has fallen on his sword to make way for him. Unless of course CLPD argues that Peter Kenyon should withdraw, making room for Willsman to run again.

Meanwhile it's not clear if the soft-left Compass organisation will join forces with the Grassroots Alliance, or sit out this election as it has done in the past.