Labour ‘to bring in all-BAME shortlists’ as part of candidate selection overhaul
2 min read
Labour is reportedly set to give minority ethnic and women councillors reserved seats in local elections as part of sweeping changes to its selection process.
The recommendation comes as part of its democracy review, and will form part of a legal case to give BAME and disabled candidates reserved seats in multi-member council wards.
The move risks raising suspicions among some within the party however, that the changes are a means of de-selecting sitting councillors.
According to the Guardian, the party will also look to change the law by allowing all-BAME contests for parliamentary seats, when its proposals are put to the ruling national executive committee (NEC) today.
A party source told the paper it was hoped the move to diversify council candidates would tackle concerns mounted by MPs over a lack of minority ethnic voices.
“Campaigning for a change to the law to allow BAME candidate shortlists and shortlists from all protected characteristics will allow us to select more candidates from all backgrounds,” they said.
Elsewhere the party is said to be pushing for changes to BAME Labour, including the election of a new national BAME committee with places elected using the one member, one vote system.
The party’s ethnic minority affiliate, which holds a seat on the NEC would also automatically enrol members who self-define as ethnic minorities.
Another reported proposal is that party members will be able to elect local council leaders, while the threshold regarding the number of MPs needed to nominate a potential leadership candidate will be brought down.
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