Hattersley joins Labour backlash on 'unworkable' all-women shortlists
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE growing row within the Labour Party over plans for all-women shortlists flared up in public yesterday when Roy Hattersley, the former deputy leader, denounced them as 'absolutely unworkable', writes Donald Macintyre.
His outburst came as Clare Short, MP for Birmingham Ladywood, delivered a personalised attack on Neil Kinnock, the former leader, for also expressing strong reservations at a Labour meeting last month. The plan for the compulsory installation of women candidates in half of winnable seats where there are vacancies was approved at the party conference this year. But signs of a backlash were confirmed on a BBC On the Record survey showing that 21 out of 37 male candidates who fought marginal seats in the 1992 election said they had reservations.
Mr Hattersley said that the idea would 'cause chaos' and, while he was in favour of positive discrimination, this should be limited to ensuring a woman went on the shortlist. Special treatement should also be extended to the 'pathetically under-represented ethnic minorities'. Ms Short said that Mr Kinnock was not 'in good shape' and had been very irresponsible to criticise the system. She said electorates were always offered only one candidate from any party and added: 'This is just lots of choice for any selector, but the outcome will be a woman.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments