Ethnic minority under-representation in British politics is apparent at both local and national level. This article focuses on the candidate selection procedures of the main parties to assess explanations of under-representation and account for the development of a critique, by the Labour Party, of the `liberal' paradigm that underpins candidate selection. Labour have developed a positive action strategy to promote women's candidacy. This article contends that the development of such a critique has clear implications for other under-represented groups, such as ethnic minorities.
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