LABOUR'S regional office has stepped in to monitor the selection process of council candidates because too few women are being selected.
London Labour Party are looking at Hounslow's selection procedures after being "invited" to do so by a number of members.
The move comes after a Labour source revealed to the Chronicle that a "jobs for the boys" ethos within Heston has seen the only female candidate, Peta Vaught, from Heston Central ward, thrown out - going against Labour rules that there must be one female candidate per ward.
An insider also told the Chronicle that female Councillor Ajmer Grewal from Hounslow West ward failed to be re-selected in a vote earlier this month by party members.
The source who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "To have no women shortlisted or selected in certain wards is just ridiculous – a complete disregard for the rules.
"There is no excuse for the way certain Labour members have conducted the selection meetings, they made sure women were not represented fairly in the community. The underhand actions of a few have had repercussions on many."
A spokesperson for London Labour Party said: "We are taking firm action across the country to achieve a fairer and more representative balance of men and women standing for election under the Labour banner.
"A number of our members in Hounslow have invited us to look at local procedures adopted for the selection of candidates in next year's Borough elections.
"Having done so, London Labour Party concluded that present arrangements would be unlikely to increase the number of women councillors
"After local discussions, London Labour Party has agreed to supervise the selections in Hounslow and provide potential women councillors with encouragement and support to ensure they have a fair chance of being selected."
Hounslow Labour leader Councillor Jaqdish Sharma and the Local Government Committee, who are in charge of running local elections both declined to comment on the situation. It is thought all selection meetings have now been suspended and no candidates have yet been confirmed.
