MEMBERS of the Labour Party in Workington are appealing to shortlisted candidates in the party’s parliamentary selection process to ‘help’ 200 of the party’s members in Workington have a say in who will be the party's general election candidate in 2024.

The appeal comes just days after the only female candidate left on the shortlist for the new Whitehaven and Workington constituency resigned from the contest, saying she was ‘shocked’ to see members in the town of Workington would not be allowed to vote.

The secretary of Workington Constituency Labour Party has written to the three shortlisted candidates - Markus Campbell-Savours, Thomas Docherty and Josh MacAlister - to ask them to appeal to the national party and ‘stand in solidarity’ with the Workington members.

In a letter seen by the Times & Star, the constituency secretary said: “Congratulations on reaching the short list. No doubt you are looking forward to the hustings.

“Unfortunately, nearly 200 party members in the constituency you hope to represent are not able to look forward to those hustings.

"As you know, they are excluded from the process, even though the Boundary Commission is due to report in a matter of days.

“We therefore appeal to you, as an expression of democratic socialist solidarity, to help us in Workington CLP, urge the party to allow those nearly two hundred members to exercise their democratic rights by taking part in the hustings.

“We are asking you to confirm in your response to this note, that you support the case for these excluded members being allowed to take part.

"So, we can share your response with our members. To show you stand in solidarity with them.”

It is understood that the Labour Party code of conduct prevents the three candidates from commenting on any aspect of the selection process whilst it is taking place.

A Labour spokesperson said: “The process to select a candidate in Copeland has taken place in line with the timetable set out and overseen by the NEC.

"Members will shortly choose from an excellent shortlist of candidates the person they want to be their next Labour MP.

“The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and, when made are investigated in line with our policies and procedures.”