Dudley Labour Party vote declared void after complaints

The meeting held at Wellington Road Community Centre, Dudley, on February 7 allegedly descended into a farce, with claims too many votes were cast and 22 members were stopped from taking part.

A complaint was made to the Labour Party in the wake of the meeting and an investigation took place.

Now following the investigation, the results of the meeting has been declared void by the national Labour Party.

The CLP’s chosen candidates was Rebecca Long-Bailey for leader and Richard Burgon for deputy.

A spokesman for the Labour Party said: “The Dudley nomination was declared void by the party nationally.”

It is alleged a total of 96 votes were cast but there was the number of eligible voters was only 90.

There was also issues raised about the timing of the meeting. It took place about six days before the deadline for nominations from CLPs closed, meaning the nomination vote in Dudley could not re-convene.

The process to elect Labour MPs as the party's leader and deputy leader has a few barriers or stages. One of them is to get nominated by CLPs. There are many CLPs around the country. However it is not obligatory for CLPs to hold these nomination votes.

The Labour Party confirmed there will be no consequences in Dudley after the void vote.

The letter of complaint on Dudley was signed by 20 people. Abid Hussain, author the letter, welcomed the outcome, but believes Councillor Ali, should be held to account by the party.

Mr Hussain said: "I am happy with the outcome because the way the vote was done, and the way people was treated, it is some sort of consultation as to what happened. But really, I would have preferred for something more to come from it. The chairman should have been held to account by the party for the farce on the night, where so many people were left disappointed with how it was carried out."

Councillor Shaukat Ali was approached for comment.