Home game clash with selection
Charles Clarke during 2010 election
The hustings to choose the next Labour candidate for Norwich South will clash with one of biggest home games of the season.
The vote to find Norwich’s next Charles Clarke is due to take place in just over 2 weeks, at the same time as Norwich City take on Arsenal.
Four candidates are vying for the post to represent Labour in Norwich South constituency. But a change in the footballing calender means some Labour Party members will have to chose between the chance to vote, and one of the biggest games in Norwich’s Premier League season.
Originally scheduled for a 3pm kick-off, the Sky screening of Norwich vs Arsenal means the match has been moved to 12.45pm.
The hustings, where each candidate gets to address the audience before being asked questions by members, starts at midday. To be eligible to vote, members have to stay for the full session, being held at City of Norwich School, just off Newmarket Road.
Postal votes – which could have been an alternative – have already closed.
Some members are now asking the local Labour Party if they can have a proxy vote, so they can still have a say in who the next candidate will be.
An East of England Labour Party spokesperson said: ”Members in Norwich South who couldn’t attend the selection meeting were able to make alternative arrangements. Unfortunately the timing of the match was changed after the selection timetable had been set and the deadline for this had passed.”
Shortlisted for the post are local councillor, Victoria MacDonald (Labour, Lakenham); BBC political reporter, Clive Lewis; Haringey councillor, Joe Goldberg and ex-drummer from the pop band Blur, Dave Rowntree. As candidates, none were able to comment.
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