MONTHS of speculation could end tomorrow if Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) for Leyton and Wanstead is chosen as scheduled.

The shortlist was revealed two weeks ago after a wait of about eight months following incumbent Harry Cohen's announcement that he would step down at the next election.

Members of the party have until today to choose their preferred candidate but have expressed frustration over repeated delays in the shortlisting process and some even said they are so disillusioned with the party that they are considering voting Conservative.

The shortlist includes Tristram Hunt, historian and broadcaster, Ahmad Shahzad OBE, chairman of BAME Labour, Sophie Linden, a Hackney councillor, John Cryer, former Hornchurch MP, Terry Paul, former chairman of the West Ham constituency party and Rokhsana Fiaz, “an unknown”.

At least four of those shortlisted, including Mr Hunt, Mr Shahzad, Mr Cryer and Mr Paul, have sent out information to party members on their commitment to Labour and their pledges for the constituency if chosen.

Activists have said they are disappointed with the list as it does not contain any candidates from within the constituency, although several were reported to be in the running.

They included local councillors from Waltham Forest and Leyton and Wanstead party secretary Richard Wilkins.

Conservative PPC Ed Northover and Liberal Democrat Farooq Qureshi, who are both Waltham Forest councillors, have already been campaigning in the area for several months.