Labour potential mayor candidate says she's under pressure to 'stand aside'

A former Respect party leader who has announced her plans to stand as Labour's candidate for West Midlands mayor said she is under pressure to stand aside to make way for people who are "already part of the system."

Salma Yaqoob told a meeting at Labour's annual conference in Brighton that she is facing opposition from within the party despite being the only woman in the race.

She said: “I’m being told that because I haven’t come in to the party in the right way then I shouldn’t be standing, despite being the only woman in the race.

“These arguments are being made in what should be progressive spaces”.

The mayoral elections will take place next May and her rivals include Birmingham Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne and Dudley councillor Peter Lowe.

She has faced criticism within the party due to her links to the Respect Party, which stood candidates against Labour in the past. Although cause for dissent is that she has been a party member only for three months.

On her decision to join the party, Yaqoob told The Guardian that Labour was standing for the “values it was created to uphold”.

“I have stood for those values all my political life – equality, justice and peace. While New Labour championed wars abroad and privatisation at home, I could not support the party. I was never a member before and had no reason to join it.

“But with its unambiguous policies on equality, justice and peace it is offering a once in a generation opportunity to be a force for positive change for millions who have been ignored and left behind.

“The huge growth in party membership – making the Labour party the biggest political party in Europe – reflects that change and hope. And I’m proud to be part of that and champion it wholeheartedly.”

Yaqoob’s nomination has ruffled quite a few feathers, but she has also received some support.

Jon Lansman, the founder of the Jeremy Corbyn-backing Momentum faction, has endorsed Yaqoob, calling her a “great addition” to the list of candidates standing for the West Midlands post and had his “full personal support”.

He tweeted: "Welcome to @SalmaYaqoob who is a great addition to the male candidates to become West Midlands mayoral Labour candidate - and has my full personal support.”