North Warwickshire MEP Christine Oddy is to legally challenge her party’s
selection process which is set to see her lose her seat.
Ms Oddy, who has been the area’s European member for 10 years, has decided to go
to court after she claimed letters to her own party had not been answered and that she had
been stood up for a meeting with the Labour Party hierarchy last month.
The new selection process will see MEP’s chosen from a list selected by party
officials. Labour representatives occupying the top four slots in each area should win
seats – but Oddy is seventh.
Oddy is also not happy that two of the candidates – including former EastEnders
star Michael Cashman – have been brought in from outside the area.
She said:
"They have been parachuted in from outside the area and people from the West
Midlands feel their service will degenerate as a result."
She added that Mr Cashman may well make a fine MEP in London but feels her local
knowledge and experience is vital.
If she is successful in her bid for a judicial review it could have widespread
implications for Labour's selection process and next year's European elections.
