Labour reserves 10 more seats for female MPs
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.Labour leaders agreed yesterday to reserve at least 10 more parliamentary constituencies for women candidates but paved the way for Ed Balls, Gordon Brown's closest aide, to become an MP.
The party's national executive committee (NEC) ruled that 10 of the constituency parties where the sitting Labour MP will stand down at the next general election will choose their new candidate from an all-women shortlist.
The seats include Burnley, a move killing speculation that Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's director of communications and strategy, will try to become the MP for the home of his beloved football team. The decision is a setback for Shahid Malik, an NEC member also linked with the seat.
But Mr Balls, the Treasury's chief economic adviser, will be able to seek the Labour nomination in Normanton, Yorkshire, where the contest will be open to men and women. The other nine seats are North East Derbyshire, Hackney South and Shoreditch, City of Durham, Gateshead & Washington West, Portsmouth North, Worsley, Leeds North West, Halifax and Kingston upon Hull North.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments