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Cameron 'plans all-women lists' Cameron 'plans all-women lists'
(30 minutes later)
Conservative leader David Cameron has said his party could introduce women-only shortlists of election candidates.Conservative leader David Cameron has said his party could introduce women-only shortlists of election candidates.
He said under-representation of women and ethnic minorities was a "real problem for Parliament and it's been an even greater problem for my party".He said under-representation of women and ethnic minorities was a "real problem for Parliament and it's been an even greater problem for my party".
Gordon Brown said politicians had to do more to "take on prejudice", while Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg said MPs must represent "modern Britain".Gordon Brown said politicians had to do more to "take on prejudice", while Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg said MPs must represent "modern Britain".
The party leaders were appearing before MPs investigating parliamentary reform.The party leaders were appearing before MPs investigating parliamentary reform.
The inquiry, known as a Speaker's Conference, is looking at how to increase the representation of women, ethnic minorities, homosexuals and disabled people in the Commons.The inquiry, known as a Speaker's Conference, is looking at how to increase the representation of women, ethnic minorities, homosexuals and disabled people in the Commons.
Diversity callDiversity call
During his 20-minute question-and-answer session Mr Cameron said there were "many very, very good women" on the Conservatives' "priority list" of prospective candidates.During his 20-minute question-and-answer session Mr Cameron said there were "many very, very good women" on the Conservatives' "priority list" of prospective candidates.
He said the party's selection procedure had been altered so that new shortlists would be drawn up between Conservative Central Office and the relevant local association.He said the party's selection procedure had been altered so that new shortlists would be drawn up between Conservative Central Office and the relevant local association.
Our aim is to get a House of Commons, a Parliament, that more accurately reflects all the different ethnic groups of our country Gordon BrownOur aim is to get a House of Commons, a Parliament, that more accurately reflects all the different ethnic groups of our country Gordon Brown
Mr Cameron added: "It's my intention, if we continue as we are, that some of those shortlists will be all-women shortlists to help us boost the number of Conservative women MPs."Mr Cameron added: "It's my intention, if we continue as we are, that some of those shortlists will be all-women shortlists to help us boost the number of Conservative women MPs."
In the event of the Tories winning a one-seat majority at the next election, he said, there would be "nearly 60" women Conservative MPs, compared with 19 at present.In the event of the Tories winning a one-seat majority at the next election, he said, there would be "nearly 60" women Conservative MPs, compared with 19 at present.
But he added that the recent introduction of "open primaries" in some constituencies was not enough on its own to achieve greater diversity.But he added that the recent introduction of "open primaries" in some constituencies was not enough on its own to achieve greater diversity.
Mr Cameron said: "I think it's important that parties feel they are competing with each other on this issue [representation]."Mr Cameron said: "I think it's important that parties feel they are competing with each other on this issue [representation]."
'Increase support''Increase support'
Asked whether his party agreed with his attitudes, he said: "I think it's become very much part of the Conservative Party's modernisation, so that if I get knocked over by a bus this would continue."Asked whether his party agreed with his attitudes, he said: "I think it's become very much part of the Conservative Party's modernisation, so that if I get knocked over by a bus this would continue."
But John Strafford, from the grassroots group Campaign for Conservative Democracy, said later that Tory members were totally "fed up with interference from the centre" and warned that further moves to control candidate selection marked the "death of democracy."
Mr Brown told the committee of MPs, chaired by Commons Speaker John Bercow, that Labour would "increase support for LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] candidates" at the next general election.Mr Brown told the committee of MPs, chaired by Commons Speaker John Bercow, that Labour would "increase support for LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] candidates" at the next general election.
He added that civil ceremonies between gay MPs could take place in the Palace of Westminster Our Parliament pretends to represent modern Britain but it doesn't have modern Britain in it Nick CleggLib Dems
Mr Brown said: "Just as marriages can take place in the House, we hope Mr Speaker will consider that civil ceremonies could take place here." He added that civil ceremonies between gay MPs could take place in the Palace of Westminster.
Asked why in the cabinet there were four white, Scottish men but no ethnic minority MPs, Mr Brown pointed to the "wider picture" of senior Labour politicians - like Baroness Scotland, the first black attorney general and transport minister Sadiq Khan.
The prime minister also said Labour had a target of returning 120 to 140 female MPs at the next election.The prime minister also said Labour had a target of returning 120 to 140 female MPs at the next election.
He said political parties had to work locally to encourage ethnic minorities to become involved, adding: "Our aim is to get a House of Commons, a Parliament, that more accurately reflects all the different ethnic groups of our country."He said political parties had to work locally to encourage ethnic minorities to become involved, adding: "Our aim is to get a House of Commons, a Parliament, that more accurately reflects all the different ethnic groups of our country."
'No barriers'
Mr Clegg said: "Our Parliament pretends to represent modern Britain but it doesn't have modern Britain in it."Mr Clegg said: "Our Parliament pretends to represent modern Britain but it doesn't have modern Britain in it."
He added that he was "absolutely confident" that his party, which has no ethnic minority MPs, had "no systematic barriers or discrimination going on".He added that he was "absolutely confident" that his party, which has no ethnic minority MPs, had "no systematic barriers or discrimination going on".
But he acknowledged the Lib Dems were "woefully unrepresentative of modern Britain", saying: "That is a source of real, real regret to me and needs to change. I am hopeful it will change and change dramatically."But he acknowledged the Lib Dems were "woefully unrepresentative of modern Britain", saying: "That is a source of real, real regret to me and needs to change. I am hopeful it will change and change dramatically."
The party leaders had been due to sit together for the televised debate with MPs but it was later announced that they would appear separately.The party leaders had been due to sit together for the televised debate with MPs but it was later announced that they would appear separately.
Conservative Eric Pickles suggested this was down to the prime minister's "reluctance" to appear beside his rivals. Conservative Eric Pickles suggested this was down to the prime minister's "reluctance" to appear beside his rivals but a Labour source said the format was a matter for Speaker John Bercow.
But a Labour source said the format was a matter for Speaker John Bercow, adding: "The Speaker's Conference on diversity was the prime minister's idea. David Cameron originally refused to accept the invitation."
The Speaker's Conference - last used in 1978 - usually looks at matters to do with electoral law and electoral reform.
This one, set up by former Speaker Michael Martin, is to make recommendations to make the House of Commons more representative of the electorate by increasing the number of women, black and Asian and disabled MPs.