Praful Nargund begins his quest to unseat Jeremy Corbyn

LABOUR has imposed a candidate on its members in Islington North – nearly a year and a half after its organising committee ruled Jeremy Corbyn would be barred from standing for the party.

Despite the length of time in which the party has known Mr Corbyn would be blocked, a sudden last-minute rush to get ready for the general election was used to explain why Praful Nargund had been installed without a vote of members.

Sceptics had always suggested that things would be put off and put off until it could then be said there was no time to go through the usual process and participation.

The volunteer organisers of the Constituency Labour Party learned simply that Mr Nargund had become “the chosen one” by a tweeted message online.

Labour’s National Executive Committee has been using emergency selection procedures to get a candidate in place as soon as possible ­­­­– following Rishi Sunak’s surprise decision to call a general election for July 4. It meant former Newsnight journalist Paul Mason and transport writer Christian Wolmar swiftly saw their hopes dashed after spending time on applications.

London Assembly Member Sem Moema was reportedly on a two-contender shortlist but this was not put to a members’ vote either. The CLP issued an angry statement over how it had been handled last week, but other members said that they did not speak for everyone in the party locally and that it was time to get behind Mr Nargund.

A source close to Mr Nargund told the Tribune: “I don’t think anyone’s happy how it happened. The selection process was under way with a ballot beginning this week and result due next week. But Sunak called a snap election on Wednesday, Jeremy announced on Friday morning that he was standing as an independent, and so the process was cut short.”

They added: “It would have been crackers having such a hiatus. I think Praful himself was gutted this didn’t go to the ballot because it was very likely he would have won.”

Mr Nargund’s interest in standing in Islington had been one of the worst-kept secrets in north London political circles, although he would not answer calls or messages from the Tribune. His team has suggested interviews will be possible later in the campaign.

Congratulations were shared by Ms Moema on social media. She said: “Congratulations Praful – you will be a fantastic Labour MP for Islington North, and I can’t wait to join you on the doorstep to help get you elected.”

Mr Nargund has been a councillor in Barnsbury since May 2022, and sits on the health, wellbeing and adult social care scrutiny committee.

He also runs a chain of IVF clinics with his mother, Professor Geeta Nargund.

In a statement emailed to the press, Mr Nargund said: “After 14 years of Conservative failure, it’s time for change. We finally have a chance to elect a Labour govern­ment and Islington North is crucial to making that happen.

“I want to be a dedicated constituency MP who can also champion Islington North in a Labour government. As a local councillor and campaigner, I’ve spoken out on cuts to Islington’s schools and held Thames Water to account for their record locally.”

Meanwhile, the Win Islington North Labour group has been launched in support of Mr Nargund’s candidacy.

Alexander Gardiner, who organised it, told Times Radio that he wanted to dispel the “myth” that “the whole of the Islington North Labour Party are united behind Jeremy Corbyn, when that’s just not the case”.

Mr Gardiner has also called on the local officers who will not condemn Jeremy Corbyn’s independent campaign to stand down.

The controversial handling of the selection process, which without the unpredictable element of Mr Corbyn’s campaign would be considered a definite Labour safe seat, has fed into a national debate across the country.

Camden Council leader Georgia Gould has been selected to stand in a party stronghold constituency of Queen’s Park and Maida Vale, while former Hackney councillor Luke Akehurst was handed North Durham – again without the use of a members’ vote.

Mr Starmer had previously pledged to improve party discipline, and said on Twitter in 2020: “The selections for Labour candidates needs to be more democratic and we should end NEC impositions of candidates. Local party members should select their candidates for every election.”

If you’re reading this

PRAFUL Nargund has been named as the likely Labour candidate for months – long before Rishi Sunak dared call a general election. He would never return our calls or messages when the Tribune tried to ask him about it. Now he is the official candidate, he doesn’t need to worry about the rules and regulations that may or may not bind a run for parliamentary selection.

So Praful, if you’re reading this, as ever, our pages are open for an interview. Our readers want to hear from you.