Labour officials in Birmingham have stated that they have banned all men from being a party candidate to succeed Clare Short as a city MP. They have also hinted they won't be picking any white women. The constituency is of mainly ethnic origins.
2007-11-14 06:26:55 · 15 answers · asked by frank S 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
It is reasonable to conclude that ethnic minorities and women are under-represented in Parliament.
It is reasonable to give special encouragement to ethnic minorities and women in standing for candidature, and to target them.
It is not reasonable to then give them special consideration in the selection process.
Encourage applications from under-represented groups, by all means, but apply the same selection criteria to all
All-women shortlists or quota systems in selecting candidates are anti-democratic, and voters should shun parties who operate in this fashion, be they Labour, Conservative or Liberal.
It goes without saying that all BNP shortlists are whites only.
Is it illegal? Perhaps it should be, but I doubt it. Political parties have expensive lawyers to check such things.
2007-11-14 07:44:51 · answer #1 · answered by Mr Sceptic 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
This is nonsense. It should not happen, it will not happen. I'm all in favour of making parliament more diverse, and I have no problem with targeting recruitment and advertising at minorities, but when positive discrimination extends to the selection procedures, in any situation, it is unacceptable. If any party imposes an all-black, all-women, whatever shortlist on a constituency, voters should refuse to vote for that party to show their disquiet. Incidentally, does anyone suspect that the BNP imposes an all-white shortlist on its selections for candidature? That's if they have enough prospective candidates to gather together a shortlist.
2016-05-23 03:55:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is racism. It is sexual discrimination as well and should not be allowed. In other words, because the constituency is of mainly non-white constituents, the person to succeed Claire Short as MP must be similar to the constituents in this manor. This is wrong, racist and discriminating!
2007-11-14 09:45:02 · answer #3 · answered by diamonddavedadude 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are one set of laws for political parties and the police force and another for the general public. If all people were treated the same under the law, then powerful people might be locked up and then they would need better toilets and silver ware in the prisons, and day release to the golf club.
2007-11-14 06:34:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like a "women only shortlist" We have just had this happen in my constituency. One of the candidates was black but she didn't get selected.
2007-11-14 07:28:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It certainly would be in the U.S., but I'm sorry I don't know much about U.K. laws. It seems that the constituency should be allowed to decide for themselves which candidate best represents their interests.
2007-11-14 06:34:41 · answer #6 · answered by Beardog 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When your political Representatives are pick using quotas your days as a free people are numbered
2007-11-14 06:30:49 · answer #7 · answered by espreses@sbcglobal.net 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
its the screw up dictators....new labour. what were you expecting...common sense??? that's why the labour party cannot do the job. they pick their MP's for their sexuality and ethnicity nothing to do!! with weather they can walk in a straight line or remember their own f*cking name....the whole party is a f*cking joke. i keep expecting Mell Brooks to pop up.
2007-11-14 07:58:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
If it isn`t illegal then it should be, politicians always find a way around these things if they want to, there`s nothing you can do about it unfortunately
2007-11-14 07:48:21 · answer #9 · answered by bud 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They will pick someone who they think will win the election. Race does not actually come into it. If it does I hope they lose. Who do they think they are BNP
2007-11-14 06:35:24 · answer #10 · answered by Scouse 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋