Standing for the Labour party
With Labour in government, the competition for winnable seats will be fierce.
The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decides when to advertise a seat for selection. Applications are made, there’s a vetting phase, then a long-list goes to the constituency. That gets whittled down to a short-list, who go before the membership.
Anyone who has been a party member for more than a year can apply. So, it is really important that your application shows your suitability for the role of an MP, highlighting your skills and experiences, as well as your knowledge of the constituency you are seeking selection for. We can make sure that your application maximises your chance of proceeding to the later stages.
Candidates will then be vetted and may face an interview. We can make sure that there’s nothing in your digital footprint that might trip you up, and, if called for an interview, we can prepare you to impress the panel.
After vetting, the NEC sends a long-list of candidates to the constituency officers. From this point you need to promote your candidacy online and in person, to maximise your chances of reaching the final short-list presented to members. We can help you build the online presence you will need to maximise your engagement with local members.
For the strongest seats, there are often hustings, organised by different groups within the constituency, online and in person. The decision then goes to a final meeting of local members. Our experience of helping candidates write and deliver speeches, and prepare for the Q&A which follows, will see you well prepared to wow the audience when you most need to.