Labour stalwart Chadha denied re-election bid

The Cumbernauld North member is one of several Labour councillors who have been de-selected by party officials.

Councillor Chadha, who has served on North Lanarkshire Council since it was formed 20 years ago, is 78 and suggested his age was a factor in the decision. He is considering an appeal against it.

Those de-selected also include former council leader Jim McCabe although he had already told colleagues he won’t be standing in the elections next May.

The move caused anger at Monday night’s Labour group meeting with one member accusing current council leader Jim Logue and his team of “putting the boot in” to Councillor McCabe and his supporters.

Councillor Chadha said: “I’ve been a Labour Party member since 1964 and have won five elections, so it’s disappointing to be de-selected.

“I’ve been told age was not a factor, but I suspect it was.

“It’s been a privilege to represent people all of these years and I accept it’s not a permanent job, but I asked various people about standing again and the general feeling was I should go on for as long as I can.”

Councillor Chadha added that he is “thinking hard” about an appeal against the decision.

Meanwhile, Councillor McCabe said his de-selection after informing the party he wasn’t standing again was “an attempt to destroy my name”. He is considering a complaint to party HQ in London but intends to remain within the Labour group until May.