Labour has formally opened applications for members seeking to become the party’s candidate in the forthcoming Holborn and St Pancras parliamentary by-election, with the entire selection process set to be completed within just over a week.
London Labour confirmed on Tuesday 1 September that applications are now open, beginning a fast-paced selection process ahead of what is expected to be one of the most closely watched Labour contests of the year. The Evening Standard reported that the party published the timetable on its website after Sir Keir Starmer announced he would stand down as MP.
Prospective candidates have until 12 noon on Friday 4 September to submit their applications.
Under the timetable agreed by Labour’s NEC officers, the selection panel will carry out its initial longlisting on Friday, with candidates expected to be informed by email.
Due diligence checks will take place throughout the application period and are due to conclude by Monday 7 September.
Those progressing through the longlisting stage will then face shortlisting interviews on Monday 7 September, before the final hustings and selection meeting takes place on Wednesday 9 September.
The successful candidate will subsequently be subject to endorsement by Labour’s National Executive Committee.
Directly elected mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners wishing to seek the nomination face an additional requirement to secure express permission from the NEC under Labour Party rules. The deadline for those applications is 1pm on Wednesday 2 September.
The compressed timetable means prospective candidates have only days to make their case to the party before the shortlist is determined.
Holborn and St Pancras has long been one of Labour’s most prominent constituencies in the capital. Starmer has represented the seat since 2015, succeeding Frank Dobson, and told the Camden New Journal it was time to pass the baton to a successor.
With applications now formally underway, attention will turn first to Friday’s longlisting and then to the candidates who will appear before the selection panel on Monday.
The final decision will ultimately rest with Labour members at the selection meeting on 9 September, setting the stage for the party’s campaign to retain the seat at the forthcoming by-election.
