Fabians launch project to help make Labour ‘look like the country’

The Fabian Society have today launched a survey of Labour Party members, which they say is the first of its kind, to help collect information for research into why different groups are under-represented in elected positions.

It kicks off a new project by the Fabians to try and increase the number of women, LGBT, BAME, disabled and working class people in elected positions in the party, from CLP officers through to parliamentary candidates.

The survey will feed into five briefings, concentrating on each group, before a final report is published next summer. As many members as possible are being encouraged to take part in the initial survey, which can be taken here.

Fabian general secretary Andrew Harrop said that while progress has been made, there is still a huge lack of representation for many groups at every level of the Labour Party’s structure. He said:

“A lot of progress has been made over the last three decades, but women, black and ethnic minority people, LGBT people, disabled people and people from working class backgrounds are still under-represented in local parties, local government and in parliament.  

“We know there is a problem, but to find the right solutions we need to better understand the experiences of members. That’s why the Fabian Society is calling on all Labour members to complete this survey and share it amongst others.”

You can take part in the survey here.