Faiza Shaheen deselected in Chingford and Woodford Green
Third left-wing Labour candidate to be deselected
Faiza Shaheen, an economist and inequality campaigner, has become the third prominent left-wing figure to have their candidacy stripped or placed at risk ahead of the general election.
Shaheen, who was born and raised in Chingford and Woodford Green, was selected as Labour's candidate for the seat in 2018. However, it is understood that she was deselected by the local party executive on Friday.
The news comes after former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and former shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey were both deselected by their local parties in recent weeks.
Shaheen is a vocal critic of austerity and inequality, and has campaigned on issues such as youth unemployment and social mobility. She is also a member of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs.
Her deselection is likely to be seen as a further blow to the left of the Labour Party, which has been increasingly marginalized under Keir Starmer's leadership.
In a statement, Shaheen said she was "disappointed" to have been deselected, but pledged to continue campaigning for the issues she cares about.
"I want to thank all the members who supported me," she said. "I will continue to fight for the people of Chingford and Woodford Green, and for a Labour government that will deliver a more just and equal society."
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