‘Energetic and rooted in Huddersfield’
WHAT OUTGOING VETERAN MP HOPES HIS SUCCESSOR WILL BRING TO THE JOB
HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman, who is stepping down at the next General Election, says he hopes his successor is someone who will be “energetic, who knows Huddersfield and is rooted in the area.”
The veteran parliamentarian, who was elected in 1979, says he is not championing anyone for the Labour candidacy and is not involved in the selection process.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that selection process could involve at least three Kirklees councillors, a former councillor, a lawyer and a Labour official.
Naheed Mather, a Labour councillor in Dalton ward, and Hugh Goulbourne, a lawyer from London, have both previously indicated their interest in the candidacy.
Other names in the frame are Kirklees Council leader Shabir Pandor, former Ashbrow councillor Harpreet Uppal, who stood down this year, Tyler Hawkins, chair of Huddersfield Labour Party and a newly-elected councillor in Dalton, and secretary of Huddersfield Labour Party,
Mark Morris.
No outsiders – such as former MP Ed Balls, whose name was briefly linked with the upcoming Wakefield by-election – are believed to be circling the seat. However other people are expected to come forward.
One Labour source said: “So much local interest in this seat would probably serve to exclude a political celebrity being parachuted in. Of the names being mentioned there are some of real quality so Labour should not have any problem selecting a local candidate.”
Another insider said that, following the success of the Batley and Spen byelection “the Labour Party understands that there is a very good argument for fielding candidates with deep roots in the community that they are seeking to represent.”
That sentiment was echoed by Mr Sheerman, 81, who said: “I have been MP for Huddersfield for a considerably long time and I want to hand over to a really good MP who will carry on the work and the campaigning that I have done over these last 40-odd years. “I hope we get someone that is energetic, who knows Huddersfield and is rooted in the area.”
The Labour Party does not put a limit on the number of people that can put their names forward as candidates. Those applying will be interviewed to create a longlist, which will then be narrowed down to a shortlist from which party members will make a selection.
There is no set number associated with the shortlist. However, only “credible potential candidates” will be considered.
I want to hand over to a really good MP who will carry on the work and the campaigning that I have done.
MP Barry Sheerman