Election Candidates (All-ethnic-minority Shortlists) Bill

Key Points

• Amends the Equality Act 2010 to permit all-ethnic-minority shortlists (AEMS) in candidate selection.
• Allows parties to select from a shortlist consisting entirely of ethnic minority candidates for parliamentary elections.
• Originates in the House of Commons; sponsored by Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat). First reading given on 14 October 2020; current stage is the 2nd reading in the Commons.
• Seeks to address under-representation of ethnic minority groups in elected offices and sits within equality and civil rights policy.
• Could prompt debate about positive discrimination and how it fits with existing anti-discrimination law.

Progress

The bill is at the 2nd reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move to committee stage for detailed examination and further stages.