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Row looms as Labour ponders all-female list

Marie Burchill
26/10/2006

LABOUR chiefs are considering making their list of candidates to fight Withington MP John Leech in the next General Election all-female, the Reporter can reveal.

We understand that party members are set for a controversial vote to decide whether or not men should be able to put themselves forward for the nomination.

It comes amid fears that party bosses in London could demand that only women are allowed to stand in a bid to boost the number of females in the Parliamentary Labour party.

Local activists are hopeful that whoever wins the nomination will be able to overturn the slim 667 majority held by Lib Dem Mr Leech and become the next MP for the constituency.

Around 30 delegates, representing the different council wards in the constituency, were due to attend a meeting on Thursday to vote on the issue after the Reporter went to press.

A number of Labour constituency parties have previously been asked to draw up women-only lists. Currently there are 96 female Labour MPs in the House of Commons out of a total of 353 of the party's MPs.

One Labour party member, who asked not to be named, said: "We hope that by early next year we will have a candidate in place. I think that the plans for a women-only list are quite exciting on one level and will spark a lot of debate. However, it is up to the members collectively to give their opinion, one way or another.

"Many Labour party members welcome the early time-tabling of the selection and are looking forward to participating fully in the process in order that a candidate is put in place to take on John Leech."

It is hoped that by holding the vote at this stage it will allow the constituency party to take the decision itself and head off a dictat from London.

Ian McGarry, chairman of Withington Labour Party, declined to confirm whether the vote would take place. He said: "I can confirm that we are meeting to discuss a number of important issues. I do not want to say what they are at this stage."

Former Labour MP Keith Bradley lost the Withington constituency to Mr Leech at the May 2005 General Election after holding the seat for 18 years.

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