Did Keir Starmer’s allies systematically rig selection contests for Labour’s Parliamentary candidates? Outraged Party activists and MPs demand a full investigation.

Labour was plunged into crisis today after a bombshell report alleged that the selection contests for the Party’s parliamentary candidates may have been systematically rigged by supporters of Keir Starmer. The leader now faces calls for an independent investigation into Party practices, just as the next general election looms.

The concerns centre on the use of the controversial Anonyvoter software used to run selection contests to decide the Party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs). A new report in the Telegraph highlights concerns that the software has been manipulated to favour Starmer backers, citing major discrepancies between in-person and online tallies in numerous contests across the country.

In one selection cited in the report, a moderate candidate won just 10 percent of the in-person vote but 62 percent of the Anonyvoter online vote, according to a breakdown shared by local Party figures.

These new revelations come amid a scandal around Labour’s selection contest in Croydon East following Party officials allegedly tampering with membership lists, leading to the suspension of the contest for months.

Earlier this week, Scotland Yard announced an investigation into the Croydon scandal. A Momentum spokesperson commented at the time: “This is an alarming development which raises serious around Labour’s selection processes. Who in Labour’s structures was responsible for this outrageous act of tampering? What action has been taken against them? And what safeguards are in place to stop sinister incidents of those running the process from stitching it up? With the identity of dozens if not hundreds of MPs at play,  Labour cannot sweep this under the carpet.”

MPs Beth Winter and Sam Tarry, both members of the Socialist Campaign Group, have raised doubts over the role of Anonyvoter in selection contests which saw them denied a place as Labour candidates at the next election, and demanded investigations. Starmer sacked Tarry as a shadow minister in the summer of 2022 for appearing on a picket line. Both Winter and Tarry won among those not voting via Anonyvoter.

Beth Winter said:“The ongoing controversy around Anonyvoter voting software understandably leads to a lack of trust and confidence in Labour Party procedures. Continued use of the software risks bringing the party into disrepute. In order to restore some trust in the Party, there must be an independent review of the use of Anonyvoter in internal selection campaigns, including the selection process in Merthyr Tydfil & Upper Cynon.

“In addition, Labour should end its use of Anonyvoter and commission a trusted independent balloting administrator, whose ballots stand up to scrutiny, such as Civica (formerly Electoral Reform Services) – as the trades unions do – to conduct its internal ballots including parliamentary selections, in future.”

Sam Tarry tweeted: “Since October 2022 I have stayed silent, seeking to right the wrong done to me and the people of Ilford. I want to be absolutely clear – the Anonyvoter system was used to deselect me, rigged to change the result against the wishes of my local Labour Party.”

The Telegraph revelations prompted fury among Party activists, some of whom are now calling for an independent, KC-led investigation into Labour’s selection practices, and for the suspension of the use of the Anonyvoter software across the party.

This isn’t the first time Labour’s selection processes have come under scrutiny. Starmer has been accused of overseeing “anti-democratic stitch-ups” after the widespread blocking of local left wing candidates from selection contests, with dozens of local activists resigning in protest at the centralisation of power among Party officials in Westminster. The Party was forced to revise its selections procedures last year following pressure from trade unions. However, this has had little effect, as many of the remaining selections have seen one-person shortlists imposed by the NEC.

Among a litany of broken promises, Starmer had pledged in 2020 to “end NEC imposition of candidates” in selections and let local members decide local candidates With Labour polling over twenty points ahead of a Tory party in crisis, the scandal has the potential to impact on the identity of dozens if not hundreds of the country’s next MPs.

Momentum said: “These are scandalous revelations which require immediate, comprehensive and independent investigation. Alongside widespread stitch-ups against popular local candidates, this report points to the systematic rigging of parliamentary selections in favour of well-connected Starmerites. In an alarming affront to basic democratic principles; a small Westminster clique seems to be handpicking Labour’s next MPs, instead of local people.

“It’s vital that the truth is established – and clearly no fair process could see the suspect interrogate himself. Accordingly, we need an independent, KC-led investigation into Labour’s selections and the replacement of Anonyvoter with an independent system such as Civica, to ensure the integrity of the party’s processes and confidence in their outcomes. The stench of corruption hangs over Labour – it cannot be left to fester.”

Andrew Fisher, Former Labour Party Executive Director of Policy and Research under Jeremy Corbyn MP tweeted: “This should alarm every Labour member. There really needs to be a full and open inquiry set up by the NEC into the concerns found here – and use of Anonyvoter suspended in the meantime.”

Momentum is demanding:

1.  An independent, KC-led investigationinto these events, including forensic analysis of how selections with Anonyvoter have been conducted.
2. The suspension of the use of Anonyvoterat all levels of the Party including branch and constituency Labour Party elections.
3. For the Labour Party to use Civica Election Services, as for NEC and Leadership elections, in all future candidate selections.

Take action! Sign the Momentum petition here.

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