Emilie Oldknow, not a character out of the Harry Potter books, but Regional Director for the East Midlands 'couldn't' attend the meeting despite agreeing to it previously and turning down previous offers for her to come and meet with the GC. In her place she sent Matt Ford. My contact on the GC wasn't sure what position he holds.

Matt began by saying that he was 'Here to start [my emphasis] the consultation process on an all woman shortlist'  and then outlined the procedure. Views were invited from the GC which he would write up in detail in a report to the Regional Director. This then goes forward to a meeting of the Organisational sub committee of the NEC who make the final decision. Now here's the real shocker; the committee is not now scheduled to meet until after party conference. Despite RO having delayed coming to see the GC for as long as possible, Matt assured the meeting that RO 'wants to get this done' as 'we don't know when the election will be.'

After answering various technical questions, the Chair opened debate on whether or not the CLP would like to see an AWS. These views were written down by Matt. Once everyone had their say, the chair put a motion to the GC that the CLP should support an AWS. I understand that this vote was carried by a huge majority.

One delegate that I was able to speak to was clearly annoyed that the process was going to take so long. The following grievances were aired (to me that is, not at the GC).

1. If the CLP want an AWS why can this not just be a decision for the CLP, one that could have been taken some time ago.

2. At no point, in the understanding of the delegate, did RO suggest that the AWS question would have to be decided in such a long winded way until last night's meeting.

3. RO will have been aware of Alan's retirement many months ago when he first announced it. Why have they waited so long to begin the process despite requests from the GC to move quickly on it?

It seems clear to me that there is a fear among some delegates that RO have been instructed to drag their feet on this particular selection, perhaps worried that the CLP may choose someone like Christine Shawcroft who would probably not be to the leadership's taste. With Labour apparently maintaining an election winning lead in the polls and with the Guardian reporting today that discussions on an early election are taking place at the highest level there has to be a possibility that these delays will result in the leadership getting to appoint either the short list or the candidate.

On the timetable laid out last night, if the Organisation Sub Committee of the NEC don't meet until after conference, it is possible that the whole process of selecting a candidate will not be over until very late March or early April, too late for the CLP to select its own candidate for a May election.

These fears may not be held by a majority of delegates, I don't know I only spoke to one after the meeting. But it is a sign of the lack of trust between the leadership and some CLPs that some ordinary grassroots activists have taken the view that Nottingham South is being set up for a right royal shafting.

However, all that can be said with any certainty is that the CLP have expressed a wish for an AWS and presumably this is what it will get. Eventually.