‘No experience necessary!’ Labour struggles to find candidates ahead of local elections amid fears of wipeout

Dan McDonald
Sat, 04 Apr 2026 22:32:57 +0000

Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure as Labour struggles to fill council candidate positions ahead of next month’s local elections.

Party officials are scrambling to find candidates, with local committees urging members to put themselves forward, leaked emails obtained by The Telegraph have shown.

It comes as the Prime Minister’s leadership faces renewed scrutiny if Labour suffers heavy losses in May.

In Sutton, south west London, the local government committee sent at least three emails in a week appealing for volunteers.

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One message told members: “The deadline for candidate nominations is next week and we still have a number of places left for members to stand for us in those wards where the aim is mainly to fly the flag for Labour.”

It added: “To complete that task we need your help NOW… Don’t assume others are applying.”

Members were reassured there would be “no complicated interview process” and that selections would be made locally.

A follow-up email, sent hours later, asked recipients to come forward as “paper candidates” in unfilled seats.

Professor Stephen Fisher, a political sociologist at the University of Oxford, has warned Labour could lose up to 2,000 councillors at the upcoming elections.

Party strategists are said to be particularly concerned about traditionally safe London seats, where the Greens are expected to make gains.

Zack Polanski's party is forecast to perform strongly in urban areas and student-heavy constituencies.

A source in Tower Hamlets told The Telegraph that efforts to meet all-women shortlist requirements have made candidate recruitment more difficult.

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Labour uses the policy to boost female representation in winnable seats as part of its push for gender balance.

However, it has reportedly added to the challenge of filling vacancies.

Shortages have persisted since the elections were called.

An email sent in February by Labour officials in Jarrow and Gateshead urged members to “seriously consider” putting themselves forward to assist neighbouring areas.

According to LBC, the message listed numerous unfilled positions and stressed that “no experience is required”.

The nomination deadline is set for April 8.

Following Labour’s third-place finish behind the Greens and Reform in the Gorton and Denton by-election, critics have warned Sir Keir could face a leadership challenge if results in May are poor.

Angela Rayner and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are among those being touted as potential challengers.

GB News has approached Labour for comment.