By Oscar Woods 
Croydon Labour Party candidate selection processes have become a flashpoint for internal tensions, with members increasingly vocal about their exclusion from key decisions that will shape the borough’s political future.
The controversy centers on how Labour officials have handled everything from parliamentary picks to mayoral candidates and council selections. Party members say they’re being sidelined while regional bosses and the National Executive Committee take control.
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Parliamentary Selection Scandal Rocks Party
The selection process for Croydon East turned into a full blown scandal when authorities launched investigations into alleged data manipulation and voting fraud. Joel Bodmer, who had been shortlisted for the constituency, withdrew from the race after Labour reported itself to the Information Commissioner over compromised personal data affecting around 600 members.
Bodmer’s exit came as Metropolitan Police cyber crime units began looking into the irregularities. The process, which started in July 2023, was suspended in November that year following complaints about membership lists being tampered with and vital details being altered.
When the selection finally resumed in March 2024, only three candidates remained: Olga Fitzroy, Natasha Irons, and Johnson Situ. Members in Croydon East had their first in person meeting of the constituency party at the selection event, despite the CLP being formed months earlier.
The scandal represented a major embarrassment for the party, particularly given connections to Croydon North MP Steve Reed and Labour General Secretary David Evans, whose roots trace back to the borough.
Mayor Selection Process Draws Fire
The 2026 mayoral candidate selection proved equally contentious. Rowenna Davis emerged victorious with 82% support over her sole opponent Manju Shahul-Hameed, but the process itself became a lightning rod for criticism.
Members complained they had minimal opportunity to engage meaningfully with candidates. A virtual hustings on April 9, 2025, gave attendees no chance to ask questions, comment in chat functions, or speak directly with Davis or Shahul-Hameed.
Questions during the event weren’t submitted by members, preventing them from addressing Croydon specific issues. The selection was completed before Easter, giving Conservative incumbent Jason Perry a six month head start on campaigning.
A motion passed unanimously at an all members meeting of Croydon East CLP expressed deep concern about the lack of member involvement. The motion called for clearer timelines on when Croydon Labour would be released from special measures, criteria for that release, and updates on the police investigation into the 2024 parliamentary selection fraud.
Davis, a Waddon ward councillor since 2022, campaigned on a “People First” platform. She promised to address Croydon’s challenges, including its status as England’s fly tipping capital and a struggling town center.
Council Selections Spark Fresh Anger
The candidate selection process for May 2026 council elections brought new complaints about top down control. In August 2025, Labour announced nine ward selections in a single evening, with many appearing to bypass grassroots input entirely.
Members in affected wards reported receiving congratulatory messages about candidates they never voted for. Regional officials simply informed them of their new representatives and ordered them to “get behind them wholeheartedly.”
At least two sitting councillors, Karen Jewitt and Patsy Cummings, faced deselection despite decades of combined service. Five women councillors, including four Black women, were blocked from seeking reselection. This sparked accusations of hypocrisy given party rhetoric about diversity and representation.
Labour struggled to find enough candidates willing to stand for all 70 council seats. By late August 2025, officials issued desperate appeals for more applicants, particularly encouraging women to come forward. The party had only announced 42 candidates across 15 wards at that stage.
Special Measures Continue
Croydon Labour remains under special measures with the national party, a status that began after the council’s 2020 financial collapse. Former leader Tony Newman and cabinet member Simon Hall were suspended for years over their roles in bankrupting the borough.
The party’s Local Campaign Forum hasn’t held formal meetings since the July 2024 General Election. National and regional officials now draw up shortlists, with ward branches getting limited choice in final selections. Critics describe it as bureaucratic control that leaves little room for democratic input.
Party membership has declined sharply. Croydon East membership dropped from nearly 700 to 500, less than half the 1,200 peak from five years earlier. Members cite various reasons for leaving, including disagreements over national policies, frustration with local party dysfunction, and the ongoing selection controversies.
What Comes Next
The May 2026 elections will see voters choose a mayor and 70 councillors across 28 wards. Labour currently holds 34 council seats from 2022, but 13 sitting Labour councillors won’t be on the ballot due to retirements and deselections.
Davis will face Perry for the mayoralty, while Reform UK and the Green Party hope to capitalize on voter frustration with both major parties. The Greens already hold two council seats and LibDems one, with both seeking to expand their presence.
For Croydon Labour Party candidate selection processes, the question remains whether members will regain meaningful input or if regional control will continue. The motion passed by Croydon East members demanding answers and reform reflects growing impatience with the status quo.
Party officials have yet to announce when Croydon will be released from special measures or what specific benchmarks need to be met. Until then, the tension between grassroots democracy and centralized control looks set to continue shaping how Labour picks its candidates in one of London’s largest boroughs.