A FURIOUS row has broken out in the Forest of Dean Labour Party after 2017 General Election candidate Shaun Stammers was passed over in favour of an all-women shortlist (AWS).

Mr Stammers has expressed “his great sadness and disappointment” at the decision, even though it was his casting vote that backed the AWS by 13 votes to 12.

The former Labour candidate, who increased the party’s vote by 50 per cent last time out, tried to explain his actions by saying he had promised women in his Student Union days always to support the policy.

“I couldn’t abandon that promise the first time I’m asked to vote on it even if it was to my own detriment,” he said on his Forest Matters Facebook page.

“I feel very naive now believing that enough members had voiced their opposition and that the constituency Labour Party would reflect the position. In retrospect, I should have abstained but hindsight is a powerful thing.”

Forest Labour youth organiser Zac Arnold said he sat beside Mr Stammers during the vote, which was later backed by the National Executive Council, and claimed it was “a little bit devious” to suggest he opposed the decision.

“There was only a majority of one, thus your vote tipped the balance,” posted Mr Arnold. “If you had voted the other way, an open selection would have won the consultation vote.”

Mr Stammers hit back, saying: “There is nothing devious about expressing my sadness or disappointment at the NEC decision.

“In retrospect, maybe I should have abstained but I stuck to the principle I committed myself to many years ago.

Some Labour supporters blasted the AWS ruling, saying it could lose them votes at the next election.

Gemma Adams posted: “As a feminist, I have to say that I wholeheartedly disagree with this policy. This is not the equality that I fight for.

“Women do not want or need hand outs like this, esnpecially when it takes away from well-deserving and hard working candidates like yourself.

“I love the Labour Party ... but this can only alienate potential voters.”

Deb Oliver said: “I totally disagree with this decision. I think the candidate should be the best person for the job to represent us, be that a woman or a man.

“I will be sorely disappointed if the candidate is not from the Forest, we really don’t need a career politician.”

Mr Stammers had earlier announced: “It is with great sadness and disappointment that I must acknowledge I will not be the Labour Party candidate at the next General Election.

“The National Party, as recommended by the Local Party, has imposed a women-only short list.

“It was an honour to represent Labour in the FoD in 2017 and I wish my successor, whomever she may be, the very best of luck in toppling Mark Harper.”

Forest Labour Party chair Cllr Bernie O’Neill confirmed that they would be selecting a woman candidate “following a consultation exercise involving all four branches in the district and a decision by the party’s NEC.”

“We shall now have to make sure that the woman we choose to stand… is the very best that we can find and the most suitable to represent the residents of the Forest,” he said.

“I am sure that she will have the full support and help from the members of the Labour Party in the constituency in what is sure to be a tough campaign, whenever it comes.

“The party would like to thank Shaun Stammers… for all his efforts in challenging Mark Harper, and increasing the Labour vote in the Forest, and we shall use this as a platform for our new candidate to further challenge him.”