THE Labour Party in Liverpool has drawn up its final shortlist ahead of choosing a candidate to stand for the Wavertree seat at this year’s General Election.

The all-women shortlist includes Liverpool councillor Wendy Simon, city-born candidate in two previous general elections, Joyce Still, and Camden council hopeful Luciana Berger.

Ballot papers have now been sent out to all members, who must choose who will replace Jane Kennedy as candidate in the election, most likely to take place in May.

Cllr Simon, opposition spokesman for health, care and safeguarding, was one of the first contenders to announce her standing. She was first elected to the council in May, 2007, and represents Kensington and Fairfield. It is understood social worker Mrs Simon enjoys strong support from within the union Unison.

Mrs Still, however, has strong ties with the Unite union, and has stood for Labour in the 2001 and 2005 General Elections.

She came third in the 2005 Bedfordshire South West seat, polling 13,837 (30.2%), having come third in Guildford in 2001 with 6,558 (13.7%).

In county elections in Hampshire last year she came fifth, beaten into fourth place by the BNP. Miss Berger, 29, who is also a candidate for a seat on the Camden local authority, is president of Labour Friends of Israel.

It is understood she has the backing of Mrs Kennedy, although the current Wavertree MP has said she has not officially given her support to anyone.

A Labour source said Mrs Simon had the support of the “major players”, but that Miss Berger had been “doing the rounds”.

“Wendy Simon has the major players, but Luciana Berger has probably picked up a few of what we call sleeping members, as in those who are not out and about much.”

The winning candidate will be announced on January 25.