All-Women Shortlists in Labour Party
All-women shortlists (AWS) have been Labour’s magic bullet for gender equality since 1997, when their introduction led to the party selecting women as candidates in half of all seats it considered winnable.
Controversy Surrounding AWS
Both legally and politically, AWS have not been without controversy. When the policy was found to be in breach of sex discrimination law, Labour had to legislate to ensure the legality of AWS.
Challenges Faced by Labour
Now, as Labour gets ready to fight another general election, there’s a problem: AWS are no longer available to the party due to legal concerns regarding gender balance among MPs.
Current Gender Representation in Labour
According to recent data, in contested selections Labour has picked 85 women and 105 men for winnable seats, showcasing a fairly equal distribution.
Diversity and Cultural Change
LWN director Claire Reynolds believes the current selection process without AWS is indicative of “real cultural change” and highlights the diversity within the group of potential MPs.
Future Challenges and Expectations
With early signs that male candidates are prevailing over female and AWS off the table, the number of women as a proportion of all Labour MPs is likely to drop in the upcoming general election.
Looking Ahead
Labour expects to elect many more MPs at the next general election than in 2019, aiming for the most diverse parliament ever. However, challenges remain in maintaining gender balance without the use of AWS.