Women-only shortlist for Burnley election dealt a blow (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Women-only shortlist for Burnley election dealt a blow

5:13pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News

PLANS to adopt a women-only shortlist in the race to next Labour’s next parliamentary candidate have been dealt a blow.

Party bosses are understood to be reviving plans for the shortlist - despite abandoning the idea after provoking an outcry before the 2010 General Election.

A Labour source has confirmed that the proposal was rejected by a meeting of party members at St James’ church hall, in Burnley. They said only 19 voted in favour of it, while 32 were opposed.

The source added: “There was an extraordinary general meeting so all members were invited to attend - but not all turned up.

“If the NEC votes to approve women-only shortlists then it could well be in the face of opposition from the local party.”

The same proposition saw economist Kitty Ussher selected as Labour candidate for the constituency in 2005.

But when the idea was suggested again for the 2010 election it was abandoned under protest from party members.

In the end, 14 men applied and one woman, council group leader Coun Julie Cooper, who was the successful candidate.

Labour will need to overturn a 1,818 majority to oust LibDem MP Gordon Birtwistle in 2015.