Labour to pick Alyn & Deeside by-election candidate

Members of Alyn & Deeside Constituency Labour Party meet this evening to choose a candidate for the by-election caused by the death of the former Welsh Government minister Carl Sargeant.

About 600 people are entitled to take part and it is expected that about half of them will attend tonight's selection meeting.

They will have a short-list of three to choose from but the clear favourite isCarl Sargeant's 23-year-old son Jack.

Jack Sargeant, seen here with his late father Carl, is the front runner to secure the Labour nomination in the Alyn & Deeside Assembly by-election. Credit: Family photograph

The other two are both local councillors, Hannah Jones and Carolyn Thomas.

Since Jack Sargeant announced that he was seeking the nomination, talk of Labour being opposed by an independent protest candidate has evaporated.

There has been considerable anger in the constituency about the events surrounding Carl Sargeant's death.

The 49 year old AM was found dead at his home in Connah's Quay on 7 November.

He had apparently taken his own life following his sacking as a minister amid allegations about his personal conduct.

The Conservatives have already picked Sarah Atherton as their candidate and the Liberal Democrats have chosen Donna Lalek.

Plaid Cymru are also in the process of selecting a candidate but UKIP say they will not oppose Jack Sargeant if he stands for Labour.

Nominations close a week today and the by-election will be held on 6 February.