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'Women only' call to Labour



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Published Date: 16 September 2008
By ROSS LYDALL
THE Labour Party is being encouraged to impose a women-only shortlist on a marginal Edinburgh seat after research found only one female Labour MP has represented the capital since the First World War.
Activists believe the decision by Edinburgh East MP Gavin Strang to retire at the next election opens the door for a female candidate.

However, it is thought that the constituency's local executive is asking Labour's ruling NEC to look elsewhere in its bid to ensure half the party's MPs are women.

A women-only shortlist is currently being used in Airdrie and Shotts, where former home secretary John Reid is standing down.

In Edinburgh, women activists are pressing their case, circulating a document showing that only one of the 18 Labour MPs in the capital since 1918 has been a woman – Lynda Clark, who represented Edinburgh Pentlands between 1997 and 2005.

Patsy King, who compiled the list, said: "It makes quite shocking reading. We talk about equality and things like that, that there is no 'glass ceiling', but when you look at that research, it kind of hits home."





The full article contains 188 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

 
1

danbob,

16/09/2008 00:23:17
No mention of seeking the best candidate who knows the problems that Edinburgh east faces. They wont seek a candidate on merrit. No lets play at being politicaly correct. Meanwhile Rome burns and the liebour freak show continues.
2

druidh,

edinburgh 16/09/2008 00:24:26
The best candidate should get the job regardless of sex, colour or even religion.
3

Gregor Addison,

Glasgow 16/09/2008 00:32:36
Let's just remember that Labour put forward a woman as candidate in Glasgow East and she lost. She lost not because she was a woman but because voters rejected Labour's message.
4

ThomasP,

16/09/2008 00:37:15
Labour will not search for a male candidate because they are male?

If it was said Labour were not going to accept a candidate because they are black then we would be complaining that they are racist.

This is typical, the white middle class man is one of the most discriminated groups in the country, there ain't much protection for us.
5

Guga II,

Rockall 16/09/2008 03:24:07
If the New Labour Sleaze and Corruption Party only select female candidates, they are not onle being sexists, but they are surely breaking the law on sex discrimination.

Then again, that's par for the course with Labour, i.e. breaking the law.
6

Embra Don,

16/09/2008 04:13:10
Its a bit late for Labour to be worrying about the gender of their candidates - re-arranging the deck chairs with the ice berg looming.
7

james 1st,

hamilton nz 16/09/2008 06:38:23
just how sexist can you get
8

Vote UKIP,

16/09/2008 07:18:14
I've had enough of this political correctness. If you feel the same, then vote UKIP.
9

Boy Wonder,

16/09/2008 08:15:09
I heard Wendy was thinking of standing for Edinburgh East.
10

Rickie,

Limbo 16/09/2008 09:06:03
#9 "I heard Wendy was thinking of standing for Edinburgh East."

But they said women only!
11

,

16/09/2008 09:19:18
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
12

,

16/09/2008 09:20:34
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
13

Ananurhing,

16/09/2008 09:36:23
I find it incredible how many column inches this rag dedicates to a bunch of third rate unelectables, and how little to Scotland's legitimate government.

When they do cover the most popular administration Scotland has had, it's always denegratory. If only we had the same transparancy from their labour masters at westminster.

How are the circulation figures holding up Hootsman?
Oh dear. Ah well, yes'uv been telt!
14

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 16/09/2008 09:42:56
For quantity if not quality why not try Wendy's former henchperson, the redoubtable Jackie Baillie?
15

suchaparcelofrogues,

Scotland 16/09/2008 10:11:15
Women in politics what next?
If they have to put women in Parliament at least get some decent looking ones a wee bit o eye candy for a change then we can look withoot listening.
16

The Federalist (the poster formerly know as NAUON),

16/09/2008 10:38:10
Why not end men-only shortlists?
17

Venachar,

16/09/2008 10:59:11
Ho, Ho, Ho this is so funny! Harriet Harmon must have got in here with her inequality drive.
18

yolanda,

16/09/2008 11:00:29
Surely this would be illegal? As others have said, if they were to come up with a whites only, or a heterosexuals only, or any other kind of exclusivity, there would be an outcry, and rightly so.

Even if they did get away with it, do the Labour party honestly believe that the constituents would be happy to accept a representative who may be there solely due to their gender, and not their ability? Are the voters supposed to believe this is in their best interests?Are they really so thick?

Hmmm... I can answer my own question.

The Labour party really do need to realise that MPs are there to serve the people, and not to serve their own interests. You can put a frock on it, but it doesn't raise the quality.
19

LEAL,

16/09/2008 11:17:53
Labour;doomed
20

danielrober,

16/09/2008 11:27:23
Good idea and well done to Gavin Strang. Not many MP's are willing to hand over their seat to the next generation.
21

Embra Don,

16/09/2008 11:39:26
They could put up Joan of Arc as a candidate and still have no chance.
22

Montford's Jaicket,

Hanging around 16/09/2008 11:40:08
So, only one of 18 Edinburgh Labour MPs in the past 90 years has been female - that's about 5.6%. Three questions: What percentage of Labour candidates have been female in that time, how does that percentage compare with other similar sized cities in the UK, and how do other political parties compare? It might just be that there is an imbalance - but equally maybe not.
Once again, half a story from the NotLabour party.
23

Number 6,

Germany 16/09/2008 11:49:10
More Kamakazi, "politically correct" drenched garbage
from this awful party. They don't give a dam that the electorate needs the best candidate, regardless of his/her sex. It's this kind of student politics that brought us the "Bliar babes". A more shambolic bunch of fish wifes would be hard to find.

They could not give a dam about the needs and concerns of the general public. They only care about being in power and having something nice to look at in the office. Who can ever forget the repulsive Prescott
drunkingly pawing his assistant while Lady Prescott turned another blind eye.

Hopless, clueless,and rudderless. bring on a General election, NOW!.
24

suchaparcelofrogues,

Scotland 16/09/2008 12:07:57
Didnt they try this before when somebody suggested the Labour party was now too full of White Scottish males? and as a result of them trying to recruit more Woman they ended up with more White Scottish males?
25

Alan B,

16/09/2008 12:10:58
Women only short lists seems like a poor idea. If Labour has poor female representation it really needs to ask why.

-Do they have a lack of females putting themselves forward?
-Is the quality of the females putting themselves forward poor?
-Are women overlooked by poorer quality male candidates due to sexism within the party?

As far as i can see it has to be one of the 3 above options. Woman only short lists do not seem to be the best way of addressing this.

26

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 16/09/2008 12:11:47
This is a prime example of why stupid labour are unfit to hold office.

Their misplaced obsequiousness beggars belief in respect of the way they seek to take every single politically correct guideline literally, without regard to any alternatives which may in fact prove to be better courses of action.

Wake up people! This is the way stupid labour are now and is also the way they always have been! They are imbeciles to a man (or woman) and lack intellect.

DO NOT vote for them... ever again.
27

Venachar,

16/09/2008 12:21:10
Perhaps Mrs Curran would like another go! Maybe Cathy or Jackie would like a wee go. I forgot they already have a wee job. Let see Wendy - bring it on!
28

lulach mac gille coemgain,

16/09/2008 12:26:39
How much do they have to pay to get the Job ?
29

Dropscone,

16/09/2008 12:32:20
This is discrimination.

I thought that was illegal.
30

Dropscone,

16/09/2008 12:32:26
This is discrimination.

I thought that was illegal.
31

Embra Don,

16/09/2008 13:06:32
Are they worried about this because they think its a safe seat?
32

JayDeeTee,

16/09/2008 13:15:10
Here we go again. Tired old anti-male sexism. I hope somebody challenges this in the courts because it should be stamped out.

If women are unable or unwilling to enter politics then so be it. Why should men have to step back to let someone in who is clearly not up for the job? It doesn't happen the other way around in education with school teachers does it? Why are there no positive discrimination appointments in this profession then?
33

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 16/09/2008 14:09:56
#31:

Ansolutely. It is discrimination and it is illegal. Everyone would be up in arms if they had said that it was a "men only" post, so why is there not more of a fuss being made about this?
34

Number 6,

Germany 16/09/2008 14:28:41
#34 Unfortunatley, Labour supporters in Scotland are not known for holding their party responsible for anything, hence the shower of shoite that now poses as a political party.
35

MacGillicuddy,

16/09/2008 14:47:48
" Activists believe the decision by Edinburgh East MP Gavin Strang to retire at the next election opens the door for a female candidate."

Liebour in politically correct numptyland.

Will Maggie Curran be standing? Has she not lived "all her life" in Edinburgh East?

36

Number 6,

Germany 16/09/2008 15:35:33
#36 Aye but Naw but aye but Naw . Shut yer geggy you !
37

Publius,

London 16/09/2008 17:07:01
Let's have no more women as Labour MPs (or Labour MSPs). They have identikit hairstyles and silly trouser suits. They speak a silly language of political correctness in whingy voices. And none of them has ever accomplished anything useful at all.
What we need is a Scottish Sarah Palin.

P.S. Come to thnk of it. Let's have no more male Labour MPs either.
38

Publius,

London 16/09/2008 17:10:45
#33 JayDeeTee

Well said. Teaching has become a female occupation and schools are institutionally prejudiced against boys.
39

JayDeeTee,

16/09/2008 22:43:19
#39. Agree entirely. It is a disgraceful situation to have important institutions such as schools, which have such a profound effect on children for many years of their life, almost entirely staffed by females. There is absolutely no life-balance here at all and this is made a thousand times worse when one considers that many of these young lads in school are from one parent families that have no father figure at home. Marginalised or what! It is also my belief that female teachers will (naturally) do their best to promote girls. You only have to listen to the media to confirm this. Women are constantly promoted and heralded - girl power and all that nonsense.
We need a Minister for Men. There is a Minister for Women so why not one for men? And the first thing this guy should do is establish positive discrimination (that's what it's called, isn't it, when women-only lists are drawn up !)and have male-only appointments to teaching posts for the forseeable future. No argument.
40

donald,

glasgow 17/09/2008 06:48:57
Labour canny find a wumman in Edinburgh?
41

allan58,

edinburgh 17/09/2008 07:52:13
Your statement is essentially correct #4 but, if I may propose an amendment - namely that it is the white,middle class,single,childless,non pensioner male/person who is most discriminated against!

So now we have it. The "labour" party promoting discrimination. Is this idea not in contravention of its own laws on discrimination? Has it never occurred to the New PC brigade that perhaps there are many women who simply aren't interested in a career in politics? Have we now got to the stage where gender rather than ability is to be the deciding factor?
What happens if, despite this farcical idea, that no female candidates present themselves?

Can you imagine the outcry if someone in the Labour party proposed a "men only" list? We even have a "minister for women". Why? Is that also not discriminatory? Why is there no "minister for men"?
42

Vote UKIP,

18/09/2008 10:33:33
UKIP isn't PC, so if you're fed up with the mainstream socialists, then vote UKIP.
43

BobD,

18/09/2008 16:10:29
Regarding legality, there is indeed an EU ban on any form of discrimination, but someone managed to get exemption for candidate selection.

It's democracy, folks, but not as any rational person would define it.

As others have suggested, join UKIP!

 

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