I was mistreated – and that’s why hundreds of people

Years of work and my connection to the community have been brushed aside. But after months of being isolated and bullied, I should have known this was coming

On Wednesday night I was removed, via email, from being the Labour parliamentary candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green. I live and grew up here, and this battle means so much to me personally.

I was asked to attend a sham 45-minute online meeting via email just hours before my deselection, with three members of the National Executive Committee – one of whom never put his camera on or said a word – and my fate was decided. More than four years’ work thrown in the bin. My connection to my community brushed aside. My deep and utter commitment dismissed. And the desires of thousands in my constituency disregarded.

Faiza Shaheen was the Labour parliamentary candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green in 2019, and teaches at the London School of Economics