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  "path": "/politics/local-elections-labour-candidates-fears-wipeout-no-experience-necessary",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-04T22:32:57.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Labour council leader reported to police over antisemitic video posted to his social media",
    "Labour's latest pension shakeup labelled 'immoral' as taxpayers foot £3billion bill",
    "GB News star clashes with Labour minister over Rachel Reeves's raid on small businesses",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nSir Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure as Labour struggles to fill council candidate positions ahead of next month’s local elections.\n\nParty officials are scrambling to find candidates, with local committees urging members to put themselves forward, leaked emails obtained by The Telegraph have shown.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt comes as the Prime Minister’s leadership faces renewed scrutiny if Labour suffers heavy losses in May.\n\nIn Sutton, south west London, the local government committee sent at least three emails in a week appealing for volunteers.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nOne 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.”\n\nIt added: “To complete that task we need your help NOW… Don’t assume others are applying.”\n\nMembers were reassured there would be “no complicated interview process” and that selections would be made locally.\n\nA follow-up email, sent hours later, asked recipients to come forward as “paper candidates” in unfilled seats.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nProfessor Stephen Fisher, a political sociologist at the University of Oxford, has warned Labour could lose up to 2,000 councillors at the upcoming elections.\n\nParty strategists are said to be particularly concerned about traditionally safe London seats, where the Greens are expected to make gains.\n\nZack Polanski's party is forecast to perform strongly in urban areas and student-heavy constituencies.\n\nA source in Tower Hamlets told The Telegraph that efforts to meet all-women shortlist requirements have made candidate recruitment more difficult.\n\n### THE LABOUR PARTY - READ MORE:\n\n\n\n\n  * Labour council leader reported to police over antisemitic video posted to his social media\n  * Labour's latest pension shakeup labelled 'immoral' as taxpayers foot £3billion bill\n  * GB News star clashes with Labour minister over Rachel Reeves's raid on small businesses\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nLabour uses the policy to boost female representation in winnable seats as part of its push for gender balance.\n\nHowever, it has reportedly added to the challenge of filling vacancies.\n\nShortages have persisted since the elections were called.\n\nAn email sent in February by Labour officials in Jarrow and Gateshead urged members to “seriously consider” putting themselves forward to assist neighbouring areas.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAccording to LBC, the message listed numerous unfilled positions and stressed that “no experience is required”.\n\nThe nomination deadline is set for April 8.\n\nFollowing 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.\n\nAngela Rayner and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are among those being touted as potential challengers.\n\nGB News has approached Labour for comment.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "‘No experience necessary!’ Labour struggles to find candidates ahead of local elections amid fears of wipeout"
}