Young Labour members have elected a new youth rep to a place on the national party’s ruling body at the end of an acrimonious campaign criticised by MPs.
Jasmin Beckett, a student from Liverpool viewed as a moderate, edged out James Elliott, the Momentum-backed candidate, to represent the youth wing of the party on the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Beckett’s margin of victory was just 0.1 per cent and she replaces Bex Bailey, who has worked as an advior to Liz Kendall.
The results were announced last night at the Young Labour Conference in Scarborough.
At the same time Caroline Hill, a primary school teacher, was elected chair of Young Labour. She beat Rachel Barker, who works for a digital marketing company in London.
Hill replaces Simon Darvill, a former researcher to Welsh MP Geraint Davies.
However the publication of the results yesterday appears to have been marred by claims some activists were trying to pressurise voters.
Tom Blenkinsop, MP for Middlesborough South and East Cleveland, wrote on Twitter last night: “After today’s antics, Young labour must be suspended and the events of today thoroughly investigated.”
Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley, wrote on Twitter: “I have lots of volunteers & activists who are young labour & labour students. I will kick off momma style if they come back from #YL16 upset”
Young Labour members posted angry messages on Twitter criticising this weekend’s conference.
The Labour Party is still to respond to the criticisms.
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