I suspect it’s more likely that internal polling and canvassing has indicated to Labour that this is not as likely to be winnable as other seats, and there is a budget. Therefore, they have probably decided that it’s best directing resources to marginals where they have a better chance, like Rees-Mogg’s North East Somerset seat (which has indications it’s edging towards Labour), over spending money on something unlikely to be a winner. Hardly a conspiracy to get Farage in, this has been done for many elections and this won’t be the only seat it is done, but it makes some murmurs because of the high profile brought to it by Farage.
In fact, this might solidify the “anyone but Farage” vote, with some swing voters who could be persuaded by Labour going Tory to keep Farage out.
