Shortlist revealed for target seat of Watford

Several experienced Labour activists have been included on the shortlist for the target seat of Watford following the intervention of Labour officials.

The local party drew up a handful of names initially, following interviews last weekend, before trade union activist Mike Hedges was added yesterday.

Backers of Hedges argued that the selection panel had not taken into account his list of nominations. Members of Labour’s national executive committee intervened to add Hedges’ name yesterday, sources told LabourList.

The Labour Party has been approached for a comment. The final hustings will be held on December 14.

The shortlist now comprises:

Mike Hedges

The taxi driver and chair of Unite’s London and eastern political committee has a long list of trade union endorsements, including his own TU and GMB, CWU, Usdaw, the Bakers’ Union, Aslef, the Fire Bridges’ Union and the TSSA, plus Momentum.

Chris Ostrowski

Labour’s candidate in the seat in this summer general election, when he came second and increased the party’s share of the vote by 16 per cent, consigning the Lib Dems to a poor third.

Sucharita Sethi

The activist, communications expert and Labour Women’s Network supporter is known for campaigning across seats in north London and runs a small business.cmabri

Jocelynne Scutt

The Australian-born barrister is backed by Unison. She won the Cambridgeshire county council seat of West Chesterton in 2013 – the first time it had been taken by Labour for 46 years – and later shifted wards as part of boundary changes. She also sits on Labour’s eastern region board.

This article was amended on 11 January 2018 after one of the candidates informed LabourList they had withdrawn their application at the time of shortlisting.