Selection process for MPs 'sexist'

Tony Blair back in 1997 with Labour's women MPs

More than a third of candidates in the last two general elections thought the way they were chosen was prejudiced against women, says new research.

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) report comes as Transport, Local Government and the Regions Secretary Stephen Byers said positive discrimination was the only way to boost the number of women MPs.

If that isn't an insult to women, I don't know what is

Ann Widdecombe MP

His assertion came as MPs debated the second reading of a bill that would allow political parties to use all-women shortlists to choose election candidates.

The bill has been dismissed as an "insult to women" and "fundamentally wrong" by former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe.

Labour used such shortlists before the 1997 general election before falling foul of an industrial tribunal ruling.

'Unequal balance'

Four out of every 10 of the 400 candidates interviewed by the EOC said party selection committees favoured men over women.

Currently, 118 of the UK's 659 MPs are women - fewer than the record numbers elected in 1997 and the first fall in 20 years.

Mr Byers told MPs that political parties failing to use the proposed new law would be left counting the cost at the ballot box.

"The only way we will see in real terms a practical improvement in the representation of women is if political parties do adopt positive measures," he said.

"Some parties will say no ... that will be their decision but what I will say to them is that ... there will be no hiding place for political parties and they will have to account to the electorate if they continue to see an under-representation of women on their benches."

Next election

The Sexual Discrimination (Election Candidates) Bill would allow shortlists to be used too in local council elections.

Campaigners for the changes will be pleased the bill has been introduced early in the Parliament so it can be used to choose candidates for the next general election.

The issue provoked heated debate at last month's Liberal Democrat Party conference, which eventually voted against adopting women shortlists.

Shadow transport, local government and the regions secretary Theresa May said the Conservatives backed the principles behind the bill.

'Positive action'

"There are many women currently not being selected or elected who would make first-class MPs and Parliament is losing out on a pool of talent that would strengthen this house."

But that support did not go as far as wanting all-women shortlists for her party.

Instead, the Tories were examining other examples of "positive action", said Ms May, arguing that using a "balanced, limited list" to get more women MPs should be considered.

Ms Widdecombe said men would be discriminated against by the bill.

'Negative discrimination'

She said she had "always advocated a higher number of women being in Parliament" and "looked forward to the day when we have a second woman prime minister".

But she added: "We whinge and whine and demand special treatment. If that isn't an insult to women, I don't know what is.

"Positive discrimination is always negative discrimination against somebody."

Lib Dem shadow leader of the Commons Paul Tyler, who proposed the defeated pro-shortlist motion at his party's conference, said a culture shift was needed in Parliament.