Senior Sandwell councillor dropped as candidate ahead of elections
A senior member of Sandwell Council has spoken of her shock at being dropped as a candidate for this year’s local elections by the regional Labour Party.
Councillor Ann Shackleton, who represents Cradley Heath and Old Hill and is the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, was told on Friday she had not been chosen to stand again for the seat she first won in 2004.
Labour Party rules require that would-be candidates are chosen from a list drawn up by the regional party.
Councillor Shackelton’s removal from that list means the ward party cannot select her.
The revelation she has been effectively sacked comes only weeks after former council leader Steve Eling’s membership was suspended by the national party following an unspecified complaint.
It is a move that could also stop him from standing for re-election in the Abbey ward in May.
Councillor Shackleton said she was informed by email he had not been chosen.
“I am absolutely astounded. I couldn’t believe what I was reading and I have been given no reasons whatsoever,” she said.
“To be ruthlessly honest, it is beyond belief that I have not been selected and the amount of support I have had from fellow councillors and other people since has been quite overwhelming.”
Asked if the reason was due to political differences within her ward party she said there had been no complaints by local members.
Councillor Shackleton added she was at a loss to explain her de-selection, emphasising she had the support of her ward and voters: “At the last election I gained more votes than the other four candidates put together.”
She said she would appeal the decision and party members in Sandwell and the Black Country were already lobbying the regional party to reverse the decision, she added: “The amount of support of have had and the number of people writing in letters is been quite amazing.”
Commenting on the suspension of councillor Eling’s party membership and a recent report by the Local Government Association which praised progress in the authority, she added: “I think that is unfair, he has been absolutely outstanding during his period covered by the report.”
Following councillor Eling’s resignation as council leader, councillors are expected to chose councillor Steve Trow as the new leader at Tuesday's full council meeting.
The West Midlands Regional Labour Party has been contacted for comment.
By George Makin
Local Democracy Reporter
