Scottish Labour go into the Holyrood election with the most gender balanced slate of candidates of every major political party in Scotland.
Ahead of Scottish Labour conference this weekend, 53% of Labour’s constituency candidates will be women, along with 50% of list candidates.
Factoring in candidates who stand on the list as well as the constituency Labour has 108 unique candidates, with an overall perfect 50:50 split.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said:
“When it comes to women’s representation Labour doesn’t just offer warm words, we deliver. Our list of candidates is a perfect 50:50 split between men and women. It is a list that looks like Scotland.
Right now the glass ceiling for women in Scotland has a few cracks in it, but we are nowhere near to breaking it. We should never make the mistake of thinking a woman in Bute House or three female party leaders means it’s job done for women’s equality in Scotland.
Today I am throwing the gauntlet down to the other parties. If you really believe in better representation of women you need to actually follow through, not just pose for a photo op.”