This note looks at the background to the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act 2002 which allowed political parties to draw up all-women shortlists of candidates for elections; and its extension. It gives details of Labour candidates selected through all-women shortlists and methods of positive action used by the main political parties to increase the number of women MPs.
All-women shortlists (1 MB , PDF)
Baroness Gale, House of Lords, 30 October 2008
Since Baroness Gale made those comments two general elections and a number of by-elections have intervened: 450 women have been elected to the House of Commons since 1918.
This Note provides some information on the use of all-women shortlists by the Labour Party and reviews approaches adopted by other political parties to increase the number of women candidates and elected representatives.
This note looks at the background to the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act 2002 which allowed political parties to draw up all-women shortlists of candidates for elections. The Act included a “sunset clause” – the Act would have expired at the end of 2015, unless extended.
The Equality Act 2010 extended the period in which all-women shortlists may be used until 2030.
All-women shortlists (1 MB , PDF)
This House of Commons Library briefing provides details of the current levels of 'Short money' allocated to opposition parties for parliamentary duties and a brief history of the scheme. Figures for the corresponding scheme in the House of Lords (Cranborne money) are provided. The briefing also provides details of allocations made under the Representative Money scheme.
Fast-tracked bills in the House of Commons
This Commons Library briefing paper provides information about where to seek legal help and advice.
