Party to seek more candidates from the business community – whether they are members or not

At Labour’s first annual business reception – which we told you about yesterday – the party will unveil a plan to gain more councillors and MPs from the business community, through the future candidates programme. So far the programme has been mainly aimed at getting more working class and other under-represented groups into elected office – but that has now been expanded. According to the party:

“A special stream of the party’s Future Candidates Programme will be launched for applicants with business backgrounds. This will involve matching applicants with a mentor who is a senior Labour representative, for example an MP.

This will complement the representatives of business already in Labour’s ranks in Parliament and elsewhere. Every member of Labour’s shadow Business, Innovation and Skills team in the House of Commons has worked in business or run their own firm.

Potential applicants do not need to be Labour Party members to apply, but they should share Labour values and be willing to join if selected to take part in the programme. “

Whilst Labour does lack business experience in the PLP, that last sentence might be a cause of concern for some members. Joining a party to become a candidate isn’t necessarily the best way to get the best MPs and councillors…