Intersectional institutions Representing women and ethnic minorities in the British Labour Party

• Published in: Party politics Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 620 - 630
• Main Authors: Krook, Mona Lena, Nugent, Mary K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.09.2016
• Subjects: race and politics; gender quotas; British politics; gender and politics; candidate selection
• ISSN: 1354-0688; 1460-3683
• DOI: 10.1177/1354068816655564

The political representation of women and ethnic minorities has received growing attention among political parties around the world. Focusing on the British case, we map data and debates concerning the selection of female and minority candidates, highlighting the simultaneous and interactive role of gender and race in shaping citizens’ opportunities to stand for and win election. Utilizing data from the Labour Party, our analysis illustrates the implications of distinct strategies to include members of politically marginalized groups—as well as provides evidence for the potential of “tandem quotas” to result in positive outcomes for minority women. Taken together, these findings suggest the need for stronger measures on the part of Labour to encourage the selection of minority candidates; a shift from “single-axis” to “multiple-axis” thinking when devising strategies to enhance group representation; and rejection of a “zero-sum” mentality regarding the nomination of female and minority candidates.