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Candidate Selection in British Second Order Elections: A Comparison of Electoral System and Party Strategy Effects

Evans, Elizabeth; Harrison, Lisa

Authors

Elizabeth Evans

Lisa Harrison Lisa.Harrison@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Dean - Learning and Teaching



Abstract

Whilst most UK political parties have now accepted the need to increase the number of women representatives, the stark reality is that women remain under-represented. The under-representation of women in UK politics is not just evident in the national legislature but is a pattern repeated, to varying degrees, in second order elections at local, devolved and European levels. Recent developments in political recruitment processes allow us to explore the extent to which political parties take advantage of different electoral systems to promote women candidates in second order elections. Providing analysis of (s)election data from across second order elections, this article explores the interaction between systemic and institutional strategies, questioning which combination of electoral system and party strategy is most beneficial for increasing levels of women's representation. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jun 1, 2012
Deposit Date Apr 8, 2013
Journal Journal of Legislative Studies
Print ISSN 1357-2334
Electronic ISSN 1743-9337
Publisher Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 18
Issue 2
Pages 242-260
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/13572334.2012.673067
Keywords women's representation, electoral systems, second order elections
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/948125
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13572334.2012.673067
Contract Date Apr 21, 2016