The aim of this Bill is to increase the number of elected representatives from different ethnic groups by making provision for political parties to have the option of drawing up shortlists for candidates on the grounds of ethnicity. It would do this by exempting the selection of candidates from the provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.
House of Commons
30 October 2008
This bill would allow political parties to use shortlists based on ethnicity when choosing candidates by exempting candidate selection from certain race equality laws. The aim is to increase the number of elected representatives from different ethnic groups. It focuses on how parties select parliamentary candidates, not on employment or other areas of public life.
The bill is at its second reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move to committee stage for detailed examination.
Generated 21 February 2026
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
