UK: All-women shortlist for Vale causes row

Story here. Excerpt:

'A ROW has blown up after it emerged the Labour candidate for the Vale of Glamorgan in the next general election will be chosen from an all-female shortlist.

John Smith is standing down after representing the constituency since 1997.

Last night nine women who have applied for the vacancy met local party members in advance of a selection contest next month.

A female member of the Vale of Glamorgan party wrote to the Echo saying: “I know there is a silent majority of local Labour members who would oppose the imposition of a women-only shortlist for the selection of our candidate to replace John Smith. It is what I can only describe as bullying tactics from the National Executive which forced the local party to succumb to this policy.'