18 Jul 2012

Labour president wants more women in safe seats

10:24 am on 18 July 2012

Labour Party president Moira Coatsworth wants more women candidates selected for safe Labour seats.

A review of the organisation has resulted in a proposal to give members more of a say in the election of party leaders.

Changes have also been recommended for list candidate selection, but the party has held off drawing up changes for the selection of electorate candidates.

Ms Coatsworth says a task force will look at how to ensure more women stand in safe seats and regional conferences will be asked to debate the issue next year.

She says the number of women elected as MPs in safe seats is low for all political parties and Labour wants to address the issue.