Labour Party row over all-women MP shortlists as ruling body accused of imposing them on constituencies

A row about all-women shortlists has broken out among Labour members after its ruling body was accused of imposing them in constituencies where they are not wanted.

The party’s National Executive Committee decided to look at 10 seats across the country and either remove them from the all-women shortlist (AWS) process or add them in.

It sparked anger among members in Vauxhall, where pro-Brexit MP Kate Hoey is standing down at the next election, after their request for an AWS was turned down.

Vauxhall Labour tweeted it was “extremely disappointed to learn this morning the NEC has rejected our call for an all-women shortlist in selection of our next MP. Vauxhall members unanimously passed a motion last month making this request.”

They retweeted another post which read: “We will not stand for a candidate to be imposed by back-door means on the constituency if a snap election is called. In 1989 the local candidate Vauxhall members chose was denied to us, and we are determined this does not happen again.”

In Poplar and Limehouse, the constituency party has been told it must run an AWS when sitting MP Jim Fitzpatrick retires. There is speculation this is so Jeremy Corbyn ally Apsana Begum can take over the safe Labour seat.

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A Tower Hamlets councillor said today: “People are really angry. Jeremy Corbyn’s office want a Momentum candidate in Poplar and Limehouse. Someone has put in a petition.”

A Labour spokesman said: “The party has more women MPs than all other political parties combined.”

Men will be able to contest the Labour candidacy for Coventry North West, Ealing North, Liverpool West Derby and Rother Valley. Of other seats where the sitting MP is a man, only Blyth Valley and Poplar and Limehouse will have an AWS.

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