Momentum joy as council chief selected again to take on Amber Rudd in Hastings

A Momentum-backed activist who came within 350 votes of unseating home secretary Amber Rudd has been chosen again as a Labour candidate.

Peter Chowney, who first stood in Hastings and Rye last year, will take on Theresa May’s closest ally again in the next general election.

Chowney, leader of Hastings borough council, was selected at the weekend after beating local members Kim Forward, Arran Neathey and Nik Slingsby.

“I am very pleased I will be able to do that again and that Hastings and Rye members have placed their faith in me. Eight years of Conservative austerity has had a shocking and damaging effect on Hastings and Rye.”

In one of the shock results of the night, Rudd scraped home in Hastings by just 346 votes.

Chowney was one of those who signed Momentum’s controversial statement of political objectives last year.

At the time the document was criticised as a “loyalty oath”, prompting accusations that candidates had signed away their independence.

Chowney hit back against the claim, however, telling The Guardian his agreement with the 13-point political accord was an expression of support for the party leader.

“I’m not a member of Momentum, but they approached me and because I fully support the manifesto and was one of the few Labour council leaders to back Jeremy Corbyn in both his leadership contests, I am happy to sign up. It’s not like I am signing anything in blood,” he said.

Saturday’s selection meeting was chaired by former MP Michael Foster.