A Welsh Labour Spokesperson said: 

“It’s our ambition that our candidates represent modern Wales in its full diversity. We’re incredibly proud to have prominent BAME politicians in Welsh Labour, such as Health Minister Vaughan Gething and Cardiff’s first black Lord Mayor, Dan De’Ath.

 

In the general election, 57% of our candidates are women and 13% identify as LGBT+. We’re proud of this progress but we know we must push further and ensure that we have more BAME candidates standing for Welsh Labour.

 

Over the past year, our new Future Candidates programme has begun supporting BAME party members to stand for election and we are reforming our structures to ensure BAME representation throughout Welsh Labour. In the last few weeks, we have brought together speakers from across the Labour and trade union movement to discuss how we break down barriers for BAME people in politics as part of celebrating Black History Month.

 

As it currently stands, political parties are not permitted by law to have all-BAME shortlists. This differs to all women shortlists, where there is a specific exemption under equalities legislation in order to promote gender parity. We are determined to do all we can within the law to improve BAME representation.

 

Welsh Labour is the party of equality and we will redouble our efforts to ensure that diversity is reflected in our elected representatives.”