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One of the jobs of political parties in representative democracies is candidate selection
Then came #ge2019
Problem after problem after problem
Then came #ge2019
Problem after problem after problem
I can’t remember an election where the main parties have messed this up so often and so many times
A thread of the most ridiculous and serious cases follows
A thread of the most ridiculous and serious cases follows
1. Amjad Bashir
Tory, Leeds North East
Problems: anti semitism, was in UKIP
Status: still a candidate https://www.thejc.com/news/tory-election-candidate-for-leeds-north-east-claims-british-jews-return-from-israel-as-brainwashed-extremists-1.493217
Tory, Leeds North East
Problems: anti semitism, was in UKIP
Status: still a candidate https://www.thejc.com/news/tory-election-candidate-for-leeds-north-east-claims-british-jews-return-from-israel-as-brainwashed-extremists-1.493217
2. Charlie Elphicke
Tory, Dover
Problem: sexual harassment allegations
Status: was replaced with his wife Natalie! https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/08/ex-tory-mp-charlie-elphickes-wife-to-contest-his-dover-seat?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Tory, Dover
Problem: sexual harassment allegations
Status: was replaced with his wife Natalie! https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/08/ex-tory-mp-charlie-elphickes-wife-to-contest-his-dover-seat?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
3. Sally Gimson
Labour, Bassetlaw
Problem: Labour NEC did not like her
Status: NEC dumped Gimson for no sensible reason and against the wishes of the local party. The seat is marginal https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-50322652
Labour, Bassetlaw
Problem: Labour NEC did not like her
Status: NEC dumped Gimson for no sensible reason and against the wishes of the local party. The seat is marginal https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-50322652
4. Gordon Nardell
Labour, Cities of London & Westminster
Problem: Selection mess - candidate has to resign and replacement has questionable record on anti semitism
Status: Nardell still a candidate https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newslondon/labour-parachute-row-over-cities-candidate-selection/ar-AAJXF8F
Labour, Cities of London & Westminster
Problem: Selection mess - candidate has to resign and replacement has questionable record on anti semitism
Status: Nardell still a candidate https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newslondon/labour-parachute-row-over-cities-candidate-selection/ar-AAJXF8F
5. Maria Carroll
Labour, Camarthen East
Problem: candidate helps others avoid anti semitism accusations
Status: still a candidate https://metro.co.uk/2019/11/17/labour-candidate-ran-facebook-group-helping-members-dodge-expulsion-anti-semitism-11170189/
Labour, Camarthen East
Problem: candidate helps others avoid anti semitism accusations
Status: still a candidate https://metro.co.uk/2019/11/17/labour-candidate-ran-facebook-group-helping-members-dodge-expulsion-anti-semitism-11170189/
6. Gideon Bull
Labour, Clacton
Problem: anti semitism
Status: stood down as a candidate https://www.itv.com/news/2019-11-08/labour-candidate-gideon-bull-pulls-out-of-election-race-after-anti-semitism-claims/
Labour, Clacton
Problem: anti semitism
Status: stood down as a candidate https://www.itv.com/news/2019-11-08/labour-candidate-gideon-bull-pulls-out-of-election-race-after-anti-semitism-claims/
7. Ian Byrne
Labour, Liverpool West Derby
Problem: abusive comments
Status: still a candidate https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/politics/10303758/labour-candidate-called-prince-william-a-horse-faced-tt/
Labour, Liverpool West Derby
Problem: abusive comments
Status: still a candidate https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/politics/10303758/labour-candidate-called-prince-william-a-horse-faced-tt/
10. Anthony Browne
Tory, South Cambridgeshire
Problem: racism
Status: still a candidate https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/11/tory-candidate-anthony-browne-faces-calls-quit-over-disgusting-racism?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Tory, South Cambridgeshire
Problem: racism
Status: still a candidate https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/11/tory-candidate-anthony-browne-faces-calls-quit-over-disgusting-racism?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
11. Kevin McNamara
Lib Dem, Thurrock
Problem: racism and homophobia
Status: stood down https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/11/lib-dem-candidate-kevin-mcnamara-quits-over-racist-and-homophobic-tweets?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Lib Dem, Thurrock
Problem: racism and homophobia
Status: stood down https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/11/lib-dem-candidate-kevin-mcnamara-quits-over-racist-and-homophobic-tweets?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
12. Nick Conrad
Tory, Broadland
Problem: misogyny
Status: stood down https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2019-11-07/nick-conrad-stands-down-as-conservative-candidate-after-rape-comments-row/
Tory, Broadland
Problem: misogyny
Status: stood down https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2019-11-07/nick-conrad-stands-down-as-conservative-candidate-after-rape-comments-row/
13. Chris Davies
Tory, Ynys Mon
Problem: recall petition when MP for Brecon & Radnorshire, lost by election, still stood in Ynys Mon
Status: finally stood down https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/general-election-2019-tory-candidate-chris-davies-stands-aside-in-wales-over-fake-expenses-conviction-criticism/ar-BBWHove
Tory, Ynys Mon
Problem: recall petition when MP for Brecon & Radnorshire, lost by election, still stood in Ynys Mon
Status: finally stood down https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/general-election-2019-tory-candidate-chris-davies-stands-aside-in-wales-over-fake-expenses-conviction-criticism/ar-BBWHove
14. Andrew Griffiths
Tory, Burton
Problem: sexting women
Status: ousted by his estranged wife Kate Griffiths https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-50413018/general-election-2019-kate-griffiths-selected-as-burton-tory-candidate
Tory, Burton
Problem: sexting women
Status: ousted by his estranged wife Kate Griffiths https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-50413018/general-election-2019-kate-griffiths-selected-as-burton-tory-candidate
Is this especially serious this time? Wdyt @ProfTimBale @gsoh31 @robfordmancs?
Scandals I’m missing? Please do reply here notifying me of them...
/ends
Scandals I’m missing? Please do reply here notifying me of them...
/ends
15. Ryan Houghton
Tory, Aberdeen North
Problem: anti semitism, sexism
Status: discovered too late to withdraw him as a candidate, but Tories will not back him https://www.thenational.scot/news/18044656.aberdeen-tory-candidate-ryan-houghton-racist-tweets-uncovered/
Tory, Aberdeen North
Problem: anti semitism, sexism
Status: discovered too late to withdraw him as a candidate, but Tories will not back him https://www.thenational.scot/news/18044656.aberdeen-tory-candidate-ryan-houghton-racist-tweets-uncovered/
16. Claudia Webbe
Labour, Leicester East
Problem: defended Livingstone's anti semitism, prompted local party chairman to resign
Status: still the candidate (to replace Keith Vaz, and we know what happened to him!) https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50467321
Labour, Leicester East
Problem: defended Livingstone's anti semitism, prompted local party chairman to resign
Status: still the candidate (to replace Keith Vaz, and we know what happened to him!) https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50467321
17. Anthony Calvert
Tory, Wakefield
Problem: racism
Status: stood down https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50365354
Tory, Wakefield
Problem: racism
Status: stood down https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50365354
18. Victor Robert Farrell
Brexit Party, Glenrothes
Problem: homophobia
Status: still standing, but Brexit Party is now not supporting him https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/brexit-party-withdraws-support-from-glenrothes-candidate-over-rampant-homophobia-1-5048256
Brexit Party, Glenrothes
Problem: homophobia
Status: still standing, but Brexit Party is now not supporting him https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/brexit-party-withdraws-support-from-glenrothes-candidate-over-rampant-homophobia-1-5048256
19. Francesca O'Brien
Tory, Gower
Problem: thinks people on TV show Benefits Street need "putting down"
Status: Tories standing by her https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-50283520
Tory, Gower
Problem: thinks people on TV show Benefits Street need "putting down"
Status: Tories standing by her https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-50283520
20. Frances Hoole
Labour, Edinburgh South West
Problem: posted photoshopped pic of rival with slogan “Bang! And the terf is gone”
Status: removed as a candidate by Labour https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/general-election-2019-scottish-labour-drops-terf-image-candidate-1-5041345
Labour, Edinburgh South West
Problem: posted photoshopped pic of rival with slogan “Bang! And the terf is gone”
Status: removed as a candidate by Labour https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/general-election-2019-scottish-labour-drops-terf-image-candidate-1-5041345
21. Zarah Sultana
Labour, Coventry South
Problem: anti semitic comments
Status: has part apologised, continues to be the candidate https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/labour-s-coventry-south-candidate-taunted-nus-vice-president-over-israel-1.493198
Labour, Coventry South
Problem: anti semitic comments
Status: has part apologised, continues to be the candidate https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/labour-s-coventry-south-candidate-taunted-nus-vice-president-over-israel-1.493198
(and hell - I knew of a dozen or so cases - but these keep on coming in...)
22. Apsana Begum
Labour, Poplar & Limehouse
Problem: references to "Zionist masters", and police called to selection meeting
Status: is still the candidate https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/apsana-begum-who-shared-zionist-masters-post-selected-as-labour-parliamentary-candidate-1.490791
Labour, Poplar & Limehouse
Problem: references to "Zionist masters", and police called to selection meeting
Status: is still the candidate https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/apsana-begum-who-shared-zionist-masters-post-selected-as-labour-parliamentary-candidate-1.490791
23. Wahid Rafiq
Lib Dem, Birmingham Hodge Hill
Problem: anti semitism
Status: still a candidate https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/lib-dems-candidate-antisemitism
Lib Dem, Birmingham Hodge Hill
Problem: anti semitism
Status: still a candidate https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/lib-dems-candidate-antisemitism
24. Marc Stanton
Brexit Party, West Lancashire
Problem: anti semitism, anti muslim, sexist
Status: still the candidate as far as I can tell https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/brexit-party-candidate-i-sure-17286396
Brexit Party, West Lancashire
Problem: anti semitism, anti muslim, sexist
Status: still the candidate as far as I can tell https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/brexit-party-candidate-i-sure-17286396
25. Natalie Neale
Tory, Leicester South
Problem: features in Tory manifesto despite being suspended as a midwife, allegations of professional misconduct
Status: still a candidate https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/25/tory-candidate-featured-in-party-manifesto-suspended-as-a-midwife?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard
Tory, Leicester South
Problem: features in Tory manifesto despite being suspended as a midwife, allegations of professional misconduct
Status: still a candidate https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/25/tory-candidate-featured-in-party-manifesto-suspended-as-a-midwife?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard
Also please note: this documents the status at the time the tweet was added, and the thread has been going for more than a week! By all means tweet me what has changed subsequently...
26. Flora Scarabello
Tory, Glasgow Central
Problem: anti Muslim language
Status: suspended by the party, no backing for her campaign https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7732763/Conservative-election-candidate-suspended-allegations-used-anti-Muslim-language.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490
Tory, Glasgow Central
Problem: anti Muslim language
Status: suspended by the party, no backing for her campaign https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7732763/Conservative-election-candidate-suspended-allegations-used-anti-Muslim-language.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490
27. Safia Ali
Labour, Falkirk
Problem: anti Semitism
Status: no longer Labour candidate https://stv.tv/news/politics/1442753-labour-axe-election-candidate-over-anti-semetic-posts/
Labour, Falkirk
Problem: anti Semitism
Status: no longer Labour candidate https://stv.tv/news/politics/1442753-labour-axe-election-candidate-over-anti-semetic-posts/
28. Bill Curran
Labour, Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Problem: anti Semitism
Status: deselected before the election
(see final two paragraphs here) https://www.thenational.scot/news/18021427.labour-drops-candidate-describing-snps-joanna-cherry-terf/
Labour, Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Problem: anti Semitism
Status: deselected before the election
(see final two paragraphs here) https://www.thenational.scot/news/18021427.labour-drops-candidate-describing-snps-joanna-cherry-terf/
29. Kate Ramsden
Labour, Gordon
Problem: anti Semitism
Status: stood down before the election https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/labour-election-candidate-for-gordon-quits-following-reports-of-antisemitic-online-posts-1-5041771
Labour, Gordon
Problem: anti Semitism
Status: stood down before the election https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/labour-election-candidate-for-gordon-quits-following-reports-of-antisemitic-online-posts-1-5041771
30. Ryan Houghton
Tory, Aberdeen North
Problem: anti Semitism, anti Muslim, homophobia
Status: stood down before the election https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-50468770
Tory, Aberdeen North
Problem: anti Semitism, anti Muslim, homophobia
Status: stood down before the election https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-50468770
31. Ben Mathis
Liberal Democrat, Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Problem: offensive tweets
Status: stood down before the election https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/seasonal/election/hackney-north-lib-dem-candidate-dropped-1-6392305
Liberal Democrat, Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Problem: offensive tweets
Status: stood down before the election https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/seasonal/election/hackney-north-lib-dem-candidate-dropped-1-6392305
