Written Question·Women and Equalities·UIN 118764

Candidates: Equality

Tabled: 9 March 2026
Answered: 16 March 2026

Question

Sir James Cleverly

Conservative — Braintree

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether (a) her Department and (b) the Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued guidance to political parties on candidate shortlists for elected office restricted on the basis of protected characterist

Answer

Seema Malhotra
Guidance on what the Equality Act 2010 means for political parties, including candidate shortlists, is provided by the Equality and Human Rights Commission here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/guidance/equality-act-2010-guide-political-parties