Labour Party document, Strategy for women

During the 1990s there were moves to increase female political participation. A number of strategy documents targeting women were published. At its 1993 Conference, the Labour Party adopted all-women shortlists for selecting parliamentary candidates. However the practice was controversial. In the run up to the 1997 general election it was found to be in breach of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. The 34 candidates who had already been selected by all-women shortlists were not required to seek re-selection, but all 14 unfinished all-women shortlist selections were suspended. Despite this the party achieved its aim of reaching over 100 women MPs.