HALESOWEN and Rowley Regis Labour Party are holding an all member meeting tonight (Thursday) and will discuss potential candidates for the next General Election.

A shortlist has yet to be drawn up but Labour’s National Executive Committee are thought to be implementing an all female shortlist on the local party.

Cradley Heath and Old Hill councillor Ann Shackleton, who will be attending the meeting, said: “We have heard that it could be an all female shortlist, but I feel strongly the best candidate should be picked regardless of sex.”

If members at the Cradley Heath Labour Club meeting decide they are against an all female shortlist they could in theory appeal against the decision but in practice very few appeals are successful.

After a shortlist is drawn up the local members will decide over the next few months who will face Conservative MP James Morris in 2015 General Election.

Cllr Shackleton said: “I believe whoever gets the nomination the seat is a very winnable seat especially due to Mr Morris’ actions since becoming MP.”

Labour were thrown into disarray during the run up to 2010 election when former MP Sylvia Heal pulled out of the race just months before the election, opening the door for Mr Morris to beat late replacement Sue Hayman by 2,023 votes after a 7.1 per cent swing.