'We need more Asian women MPs'

8:35am Monday 29th January 2007

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RETIRING MP Piara Khabra has pledged support to controversial plans to have an all-women shortlist for his Southall seat at the next General Election.

The 82-year-old member of parliament said opponents should "give up their selfish interests" and support the move.

He said: "For me, it is important. People with common sense should be prepared to sacrifice. We need to have more Asian women in the House of Commons - currently there are three black women only."

The oldest-serving MP, who will step down at the next election after 15 years in the post, said it was a question of women's rights, and "essential to redress the balance".

"Women have been discriminated against for two long," he continued. "It is being addressed by all the parties - they have every right to be treated equally. We must address this issue."

Current leader of the Labour group Sonika Nirwal is one possible contender for the seat, as is Southall Green councillor Jasbir Anand.

Mr Khabra said the shortlist would be a good way to ensure greater equality in the community.

He said: "If there was open selection the reality on the ground is, because of male chauvinism, it would not work."

But the plans have been met with outrage by some party members who have sent a petition of more than 900 names to Labour's National Executive Committee, the body which has the final decision.

The fears come after a meeting last Tuesday when no outcome was reached.

And insiders say the move could even lead to the party losing the traditionally super-safe Labour seat.

One party source, who did not want to be named, told the Ealing Times an all-women shortlist would be "disastrous".

"There is no woman who is a strong enough candidate who could win the election because it is an Asian dominated seat - they have no footing in Southall.

"If the Tories put in a strong candidate Labour would lose. It is bad for Southall.

"There should be an open selection so everybody has a chance, not just women."

But Mr Khabra angrilly dismissed the claims, saying: "They are talking rubbish.

"Women have been elected by voters at the local elections in Southall, and they are the same people who would vote for them in the parliamentary election. There is no difference. The gap has to be addressed."

A decision whether to force through a women-only shortlist will now be made by the NEC on March 13.