Lib Dem leader Tim Farron hopes to impose all-women shortlists by the next election and will make the announcement on Sunday at the party's spring conference

The Liberal Democrats plan to introduce all-women, gay and disabled shortlists at the next election to reduce the culture of ‘too male and too pale’ MPs.

Potential seats will also be earmarked for Asians, blacks and other ethnic minorities, as part of sweeping changes to the social make up of the party.

The party - which was almost wiped out at the last General Election - currently has no women and all of its MPs are white.

Its leader, Tim Farron, hopes to impose-all women shortlists on seats currently held by their eights MPs should they choose to step down in 2020.

He also wants it to become the first party to have disabled-only shortlists for candidates in winnable seats.

Mr Farron will take a motion to the party’s spring conference in York this weekend designed to broaden its representation in Parliament.

He will address the party on Sunday, setting out his ambitions to have more under-represented minorities in the top jobs.

Under the proposals, local parties will be able to reserve places on their shortlists for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexuals and ethnic minorities, including Asians and blacks.

It could lead to three out of four potential Lib Dem candidates in one constituency being of a sexual orientation that is not straight in a bid too boost gay power.

Currently, the law only allows exclusive shortlists for women and disabled people and so at least one of the shortlist places could not be reserved for a specific group.

Sal Brinton, President of the Liberal Democrats, said: ‘Over the last few months many party members have told us they think it is time we dealt comprehensively with the lack of diversity amongst our MPs, the wider party and parliament overall.

Former Home Secretary Jaqui Smith and Labour MP for Walthamstow, London, Stella Creasy were both elected through all-women shortlists - currently only used in the Labour Party

‘We believe we are the first party to propose reserving spaces on the shortlists of winnable seats for under represented candidates, BAME (black, Asian and ethnic minority), LGBT and disabled candidates in addition to women.

‘Despite providing support and training to these candidates over many years, the training on its own simply hasn’t worked, and we need to remedy this, from the grassroots up.’

Members will vote whether they want to impose shortlists made up of candidates who are women, disabled, LBGT, or black, Asian and minority ethnic.

A document sent to the Lib Dem headquarters on the proposals said: ‘For too long our MPs have been too male and too pale.

‘We’ve taken a number of initiatives in the background to create greater diversity and despite considerable work and effort, it simply hasn’t worked.

‘Talk and goodwill has been well meaning and well intentioned, but has failed to deliver what’s needed.’

Under Tony Blair, the Labour Party became the first party to introduce all-women shortlists in 1997, leading to 101 women MPs - who became known as the Blair Babes

The party suffered a crushing defeat in May last year, when they lost 49 of their 57 seats.

The move comes despite Mr Farron abstaining in a gay marriage vote during last parliament.

He was among nine Lib Dem MPs who abstained at the third reading of the marriage bill - despite previously voting for same-sex marriage legislation.

Under Tony Blair, the Labour Party became the first party to introduce all-women shortlists in 1997, leading to 101 women MPs - who became known as the Blair Babes.