All-women shortlists, representing society and a very male set of witnesses… what Corbyn told women in politics hearing

Jeremy Corbyn appeared alongside the leaders of the Lib Dems and the SNP and Tory party chair Sir Patrick McLoughlin at the Commons’ women and qualities committee.

The Labour leader has faced criticism over his shadow Cabinet appointments, particularly last September when he named three men – John McDonnell, Hilary Benn and Andy Burnham – to shadow the “three great offices of state”, the Treasury, the Foreign Office and the Home Office.

Last week, however, Corbyn appointed what Labour described as the “most diverse shadow Cabinet ever” which included a majority of women.

Here is what he told the committee of MPs yesterday.

On tackling the under-representation of women in the Commons…

“I will be asking our National Executive to look at this, now, to ensure that we do achieve what we are determined to do which is at least 50 per cent of women representation in the next Parliament from the Labour Party. But we also have in place, as I indicated, a number of other programmes, such as women’s representation at all officer levels of local parties, which of course is an important part of bringing women forward. It is not just about selections. Our National Executive will be considering this urgently, at my request.”

On proposals for special shortlists to promote black, LGBT and disabled candidates…

“There have been ideas that should be put forward. I have sympathy with that, actually, and for ensuring there is a place on selection processes for people representing LGBT, black and disabled communities… Parliament at the end of the day has to be representative of the totality of our society and it is up to all of us, recognising that we are in a party political system, operate in a way that all of those groups do end up with representation.”

On all women shortlists…

“I have to say that it was extremely controversial when it was first put forward in the early 1970s. I was accused of being a far-left extremist for promoting ideas like that, can you imagine such a thing?”

On the committee hearing…

“I hope you are also going to be taking evidence from women representing all of the political parties. It seems slightly odd to have four white men sitting in front of you giving evidence about women’s representation.”