Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer Accused of Imposing Party Loyalists in Parliamentary Seats Ahead of Snap General Election

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces criticism for putting forward party loyalists as candidates in 22 parliamentary seats without local member consultation. Controversy surrounds the blocking of notable left-wing figures Diane Abbott and Faiza Shaheen. Suspension of Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle and barring of Shaheen raise concerns of a party purge, as the National Executive Committee plans to officially approve the candidate list by June 7.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been imposing party loyalists as candidates in 22 parliamentary seats without consulting local members, ahead of the snap general election called by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for July 4. This approach has led to notable left-wing figures, such as Diane Abbott and Faiza Shaheen, being blocked from running.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, a Labour MP, has been suspended following an anonymous complaint, and Shaheen was barred due to liking social media posts allegedly downplaying antisemitism. Despite controversy, the National Executive Committee (NEC) will officially approve the candidate list by June 7, following complaints of a party purge. Starmer remains non-committal publicly on final decisions but continues to back centrist candidates for the election.