Women could make up half of UK's Labour MEPs by 2009

The British Labour Party has said that half of its candidates for next year’s European elections will be women.

They include Glenis Willmott in East Midlands, Arlene McCarthy in the north-west, Eluned Morgen in Wales and Linda McAvan in Yorkshire and Humber.

Gary Titley, leader of the UK delegation of Socialist MEPs in parliament, will not contest the election, citing the constant travel to Strasbourg as one of the reasons for his decision to stand down.

But, on the list of candidates, he said, “I am delighted with the selection of candidates. Labour has managed to draw together very strong teams for the elections.

“I am especially pleased that half of our candidates are women.”

His comments come after the recent launch of a campaign by female MEPs to see a woman at one of the EU’s top posts by 2009.

Of the 11 UK constituencies, four are headed by a woman. The others are led by Richard Howitt (east), Claude Moraes (London), Stephen Hughes (north-east), David Martin (Scotland), Peter Skinner (south-east), Glyn Ford (south-west) and Michael Cashman (West Midlands).

Party spokesman Silke Thomson, who is also contesting the election, said the party has made a point of trying to nominate as many candidates from ethnic minority groups.

Labour currently has 19 MEPs, the Tories 27, the Liberals 12 and Ukip 11.

Titley is not the only well-known Labour MEPs standing down in 2009. He will be joined by the long-serving Glenys Kinnock, the wife of former EU commissioner and Labour party leader Neil Kinnock.

To mark their contribution to EU politics, Labour is holding a reception in their honour at the party conference in Manchester on 21-24 September. The event is expected to be attended by UK premier Gordon Brown.

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