Incompetence claim over Labour candidate selections

Frustration is mounting among prospective Labour candidates over what some are calling "incompetence" and a "lack of urgency" in the party's selection process for next May's Senedd election, BBC Wales has been told.

Some selections have been confirmed but other would-be candidates are still awaiting a decision and complain they have had little or no communication from the central Welsh Labour Party.

Some party members had hoped selections would be finalised by last month's spring conference but there are growing fears they will not conclude until the autumn.

Welsh Labour said ranking for all those seeking re-election had been "completed" and shortlisting for the "remaining slots" was ongoing.

BBC Wales understands some deadlines to apply to be a candidate have been extended until 3 August.

"People assume there must be a conspiracy behind these delays," one prospective candidate said.

"But the truth is it's just incompetence. It's frustrating.

"It's the most unprofessional process I've ever seen in any field, inside or outside politics, throughout my career."

The party's executive committee is responsible for considering all candidates who apply, through a process of due diligence.

Under the new more proportional electoral system, once a maximum of eight candidates are approved, local branches and other party organisations will vote to rank their preferred choices.

This process will be used to narrow the field down to no more than eight final candidates who will go on to stand in one of the 16 constituencies under the new electoral boundaries.

Each constituency will return six Members of the Senedd.

Another prospective candidate said there seemed to be a lack of urgency within Welsh Labour, with the election less than a year away.

"The Welsh Labour Party really needs to urgently get on with the process of selecting candidates," they said.

"There are quite a few of us who have complained about the way the party has dealt with the candidates' due diligence process.

"We need to ensure that we have quality, local candidates who are willing to work hard for their communities."

Another prospective candidate, who has been through similar selection processes in the past, added: "The process is significantly off-track.

"It's very frustrating on a personal level, I've had to turn down a job which has created difficulty and uncertainty."

"I don't know whether party headquarters are under-resourced and are feeling a sense of burnout, following an election campaign last year and then spring conference, but it is off-track."

A Welsh Labour spokesperson responded: "Welsh Labour is currently running selection processes for the 16 new constituencies formed for the next Senedd elections in 2026 following a timetable agreed by the Welsh Executive Committee.

"Ranking for all those seeking re-election has been completed.

"All those who have applied to be a candidate for the remaining slots have gone through robust due diligence procedures and the process of shortlisting those candidates is ongoing."

A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said it had "already selected and confirmed over 80 candidates for the Senedd elections following local selection processes led by party members".

The Welsh Conservatives' selection process is underway with the ranking of candidates expected to take place before the end of September.

A Reform UK spokesman said the party hoped to have a full slate of candidates in place "by the end of the year".