I understand that re-standing MEPs and candidates for the list will again be banned from attending party or constituency events in their respective regions during the crucial few months of the reselection - from January 4th 2008 to the close of postal ballots on March 25th.
There hardly seems to be much point in members having a say in the ranking of candidates if there are restrictions on meeting said candidates. Other than favouring incumbent MEPs who naturally have a high profile, what are the benefits of this so-called purdah? It's rather out of step with the healthy, democratic spirit of open primaries being used for London and many parliamentary selections.
Deputy Editor
