Gray labels WA unionists 'silly old men'

Federal Labor MP Gary Gray says the "silly old fool" unionists trying to oust him from the West Australian seat of Brand are not acting in the spirit of democracy.

Unionists are backing 28-year-old Adam Woodage for preselection, despite the fact that he is ineligible to be nominated because he has not been a financial member of the ALP for one year.

Electrical Trades Union president Greg Wilton told AAP on Friday that the union would seek a waiver from the rule.

Mr Gray said senior figures like ETU state secretary Les McLaughlan should be better informed about the rules and labelled him a "silly old fool" for trying to control the preselection process.

"You can't have democracy if what you have here are silly old men like Les who are seeking to control the party outcome just because they don't like what I stand for," Mr Gray told ABC radio.

Mr Gray added it was "dumb" that someone like Mr McLaughlan could potentially vote three times - as a local branch member, a member of the state executive and as a union official.

But Mr McLaughlan told AAP there was no place for personal attacks.

"The time has come for Mr Gray to step aside and allow renewal to occur for the good of the party and of the people of Brand," he said.

Mr Gray said he continued to support union participation in the party.

"But I don't support bullying, I don't support stupid behaviour and I don't support those people who want to close down debate just because they don't agree with you or because they can't win the debate," he said.

Mr Gray had a victory this week when Labor's national executive told the WA branch to accept redacted loyalty pledges from him and Alannah MacTiernan, after Mr Gray argued it conflicted with Labor's federal position on issues like uranium mining and fracking.

Party members will vote on candidates on November 14 and 15.