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Thursday, July 31, 2025

Are Labour struggling for Senedd candidates?

I don't actually know if Labour are finding it difficult to find candidates for next year's Senedd election, but Nation Cymru think that something is up, so I'm going to mention it.

The news website says that members of Welsh Labour have been sent a reminder urging them to apply to be Senedd candidates, leading to speculation that the party may be struggling to put together a credible team for next May’s election:

Members of the Labour Party have now received a letter which states:“Our candidates will play a vital role in helping Welsh Labour win.

“We are excited for a new generation of political talent combining with decades of political experience in the Senedd to be our new face of Welsh Labour. Could you be one of them?

“If you’re thinking of standing, now is the time to fill out your application and put your name forward. From there, a member of the Welsh Labour team will be in touch regarding next steps. Kind regards, Welsh Labour.”

A party member who received the letter by email told Nation.Cymru: “This makes you wonder whether they can get candidates. Who in their right mind wants to be 4,5 or 6 on the list ? Number 3 and in some constituencies 2 might struggle. And they will expect you to be canvassing every weekend until May.

“It’s all strange. 2026 was always going to be difficult for Labour. It will be the first election under a Westminster Labour government since 2007. And they didn’t do well in 2007.

“People forget that after 2019 there was talk of Labour doing very badly in 2021 Drakeford was seen as hopeless. Then he was saved by Covid and Johnson. Even then 2021 wasn’t brilliant.

“Labour has always relied on the core of traditional seats in post-industrial Wales. They might have now thrown that away, and for what? OK Starmer has made it worse. But anyone with a brain would not have got into this position.

They added: “Putting change in terms of the way the Senedd is elected in the manifesto for 2026 for implementation in 2030 might have been sensible.You have to wonder what Drakeford’s thought processes are. And the prospect of a coalition after next May’s election between Plaid and Labour makes it worse. We are heading for dangerous economic times and the only winners would be Reform and Corbyn.

“Voters are not that interested in devolution. Most haven’t got a clue about Eluned Morgan or who their MS is. And you give them the ideal electoral system if they are pissed off and want to punish the incumbent. It’s totally bonkers but typical of a Welsh Labour party that shuns debate and isolates those who think outside the box.”
None of this is surprising, while it is entirely possible that Labour are struggling to fill all the places given their present poll ratings and the vagaries of the new system. Things may well get interesting.
# posted by Peter Black : 6:00 AM
Comments:
Is it expected that all Parties will put up a full slate of candidates in each constituency? If so, it shows how little they understand how the List Voting system works. Unless they expect to get over 80% of the vote, they needn't bother.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 9:16 AM
 
The issue will be covering for future vacancies so I expect the main parties to find as close to 96 candidates as they are able.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 9:47 AM
 
Thanks for the explanation - that makes it look a bit more prudent rather than just macho.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 10:39 AM
 
I trust the party has planned well for the constituencies we have the best chances in
# posted by Blogger nigel hunter : 8:32 PM
 
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