Acting Labour party leader Harriet Harman has called for a reform of party rules so half of the shadow cabinet consist of women.
Harman said she wanted the rules revised for shadow cabinet elections to make sure there was an equal split between men and women in Labour's top team.
Addressing the Unite annual conference in Manchester, she said it was time for "Labour women to step out of the shadows".
The former Commons leader told union members the party now had 81 female MPs, more than the other parties put together but still had twice as many male MPs.
"Labour is the only party in Parliament which speaks up for women in this country," she said.
"We have some excellent experienced women and some brilliant new women MPs. We still do have twice as many men MPs as women. The Labour men are great - but they are not twice as good as the women."
Labour must "listen and learn" following its election defeat, she said as the party aims to rebuild and renew itself.
She said that the biggest loss of party support had come from those hard-working households who had concerns about housing and jobs and "felt insecure and concerned about immigration".
Harman added: "Now there is our chance to debate these issues throughout the party and through the contest for the next Labour leader."
She said that the leadership election to succeed Gordon Brown was a "crucial opportunity for the Labour Party to reflect, renew itself and re-engage with the people of Britain".
And around four million people will be able to vote in the Labour leadership election, in the biggest election in any political party or any organisation in the country.
Last month Harman ruled herself out of the Labour leadership race, as has shadow work and pensions secretary Yvette Cooper.
Cooper's husband, shadow schools secretary Ed Balls will contest the leadership.
Balls, shadow foreign secretary, David Miliband and his brother, Ed, the shadow climate change secretary have got enough nominations from Labour MPs to enter the contest proper.
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham alongside backbenchers Diane Abbott and John McDonnell are yet to secure the 33 votes.
Article Comments
Ms Harman at her 'girls together' soapbox. I wish she would remove herself from office in exchange for a different woman MP to be appointed. I could accept that.
I was disgusted by Ms Harman's comments that those accused of rape should not be anonymous until after a guilty verdict. Does this leader of thr girls not realise the damage done to families of people who appeared charged with rape. The wives - yes Ms Harman wives are women, can be taunted in the street when no crime has been proven. Children are taunted at school, and there are lots of girls school Ms Harman.
Come off your high horse woman. Women are not screaming for what Harman says they deserve, they simply want a fair and equal life with men. Men who deny them this are not human but pigs. Harriet the feminist movement is over now dear. Women do well enough without a champion. If you don't believe me ask my highly paid friends the female ones in good positions - achieved on their own merit. Women don't need you Harriet, move over woman the girls aren't in your gang anymore.
Gerald Phillips
4th Jun 2010 at 1:51 pm
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