In response to mounting concerns over its functionality, the national executive (NEC) has initiated an investigation into the troubled Labour Party constituency branch in Leicester East.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reports that branch and constituency meetings will be temporarily halted "until further notice." Additionally, all officers have been relieved of their positions and duties, as stated in an email reviewed by the LDRS.

While the specific trigger for the suspension has not been officially disclosed, the party source emphasized that the NEC's responsibility is to ensure that Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) adhere to party regulations and function transparently and democratically.

This development arrives following a challenging year for the Labour Party in Leicester, marked by widespread deselections leading up to the May 2023 Local Elections. The national committee took the decision to remove 19 councillors prior to the elections, which drew criticism for being deemed "undemocratic." Many of those deselected belonged to Black, Asian, or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, leading to concerns over diversity representation. Party sources, however, maintained that the newly selected candidates represent a diverse range of communities.

The electoral reshuffling had a significant impact on Leicester East wards, resulting in a diminished seat count for Labour. In the 2023 Local Elections, Labour secured only 31 seats, a decrease from the 53 seats won in 2019. Notably, areas like Rushey Mead, Belgrave, North Evington, and Evington, which were once strongholds for Labour, experienced a shift to Conservative candidates in this election cycle.

At the parliamentary level, Claudia Webbe, the current MP for Leicester East, faced expulsion from the Labour Party in 2021 after being convicted of harassing Michelle Merritt. Webbe, who succeeded long-serving MP Keith Vaz, was initially elected under the Labour banner but later continued her work as an independent MP.

This suspension is seen by some as a measure to address the ongoing concerns surrounding succession and candidate selection in the Leicester East constituency. The move aims to provide a brief period for Labour to ensure a fair and acceptable candidate selection process that aligns with party principles.

Recently, former Labour councillor Rita Patel established a new political party, One Leicester, signaling shifts in the local political landscape. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby described the suspension as a "very healthy move," suggesting that the decision has been anticipated given the longstanding operational issues within the constituency branch. Soulsby highlighted the party's concerns about the branch's functioning, particularly leading up to the city council elections. He emphasized that councillors will continue representing their constituents effectively during this period. Photo by Mtaylor848, Wikimedia commons.