No decision yet on all women shortlists for Wavertree or Sefton Central

By David Bartlett on Nov 24, 09 04:59 PM

Labour's NEC special selection panel has not yet ruled on whether Wavertree and Sefton Central should have an all women short list.

Apologies for the delay in posting this, the meeting happened yesterday. I'm not in work today.

I had been told that Sefton Central would be considered - but in the event was not. And there was a possibility Wavertree might also be considered, but also was not.

I don't know exactly why that was the case. And I don't know when the panel will meet to consider Sefton Central and Wavertree.

The Wavertree Constituency Labour Party met on Friday to decide its preference, and while I am told the majority were in favour of an open shortlist no formal vote was taken.

The NEC's special selection panel did however decide on a number of seats.

Warrington South, where Helen Southworth is standing down, will have an open shortlist.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "Labour is working to increase diversity and representation in Parliament and has a proud record of increasing the number of women and ethnic minority MPs.

"In working to achieve this we believe that members should play a major role in selecting their candidates.

"With the General Election approaching, the NEC agreed unanimously to set up a panel of NEC members that will oversee selections.

"Yesterday the panel resolved that Wigan, Makerfield, Leicester West, and Sherwood will select candidates from All Women Shortlists and that Warrington South and Derby North will select from an open shortlist.

"If people want a Parliament that is more open, plural and democratic then we need to make big changes.

"Labour has the most successful record of women's representation in comparison to all other political parties and will always have equality as a core value."