Sign up to get all the news from Mansfield in your inbox every day! I'm in! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A transgender woman has been selected on an all-woman shortlist to be the Labour candidate in Rushcliffe.

Dr Heather Peto has now made the final shortlist, and will go up against Cheryl Pidgeon and Nadia Whittome.

The winner of the candidacy will stand against Ken Clarke in the next general election.

Several transgender men and women stood in the last General Election, but there are currently no openly transgender MPs in parliament.

Update: Labour candidate for Rushcliffe is chosen

Mr Clarke, who is the Father of the House, has been the MP for Rushcliffe for almost 50 years - since the 1970 General Election - but Labour’s Dr Peto has said she thinks the seat is ‘winnable.’

Speaking to the Post, she said: “My campaign was based very much around keeping the UK in the EU, and Rushcliffe is one of very few areas in the East Midlands which voted remain.

“Ken Clarke is a maverick in his own party for standing up for Europe, and I think I can attract some of his personal vote.

“I think being transgender can be an advantage in politics, because people can see that you have the courage to be who you are, and stand up for what you believe in.

“I’ve always had a struggle in life because I’ve had a difference. I’ve often found myself up against the establishment, and I always found that no matter what the law said I was going to face discrimination.

“I discovered that the best way to fight against that was to have a vocal and vigorous MP who could name and shame the people who were breaking that law, and Labour Party always seemed the best way to do that.”

Dr Peto, who is a stem-cell science researcher, said her 'thick skin' meant that she has been able to ignore a lot of the criticism and controversy around her presence on the all-woman shortlist.

Several voices within the Labour Party have criticised the inclusion of transgender women on all-women lists, and a crowdfunding campaign called 'Keep All-Women Shortlists Female' was even set up to fund a proposed legal battle.

She said: “I think it’s a fight that we had to have, and I want to be the person to have the fight. I’ve got thick skin, and I’d rather it was me that gets that criticism rather than someone else.”

“Rushcliffe is a fairly liberal place as well, so mostly people have been supportive, and it’s not just party members but other people I’ve met while campaigning as well.”

At the snap election last year, Labour was caught on the back foot, not having candidates in place in a number of Conservative-held constituencies when the election was called.

In Nottinghamshire, a candidate has already been selected in Broxtowe – Greg Marshall – while a candidate will be selected in Mansfield next month.

University of Nottingham law student Nadia Whittome, who has also made the Rushcliffe shortlist said: “Firstly, I entirely support inclusion of trans women on all women shortlists. Trans women are women, full stop. I'm very pleased Dr Heather Peto is standing in Rushcliffe.

“I'm thrilled to be shortlisted for Rushcliffe prospective parliamentary candidate selection. I was born and bred in Rushcliffe and would be honoured and proud to serve our communities as our next Labour MP.

(Image: Nadia Whittome)

“Rushcliffe has three highly competent candidates to choose from, all of whom bring a different set of skills and experiences. Application of all-women shortlists in some seats is democratically decided Labour Party policy.

“It's proven to be necessary, but we are working towards an equal world in which it is no longer."

Cheryl Pidgeon said: “All-women shortlists are key to improving the poor representation of women in parliament. I’m proud that the Labour Party is implementing them across the country. While there is much more work to do, Labour has taken great strides in helping to elect greater numbers of women to Parliament, and long may that continue.”

“I’m a strong ally of the LGBT community. Transwomen are women, and being a transwoman should not be a barrier to standing in an all-women shortlist. I find it heartening that a transgender candidate has made it onto the final shortlist for Rushcliffe, and I’m really looking forward to engaging in a constructive political debate focussed on each candidate’s experience and ideas at the hustings later this month.”

(Image: Umaar Kazmi)

“I’m a proud socialist so, if I’m selected as the candidate, I will campaign on many of the radical policies that were outlined in Labour’s inspiring 2017 manifesto.

“There are also several local issues that I want to tackle, such as improving community banking and shopping facilities. In addition, public transport outside of West Bridgford leaves much to be desired. I also intend to contribute ideas on developing housing policy in Rushcliffe, which currently focuses too little on social housing and doesn’t take into account the views of local residents. I’d use my experience in local government as a former Borough and County Councillor to take this vision forward in a broad and inclusive campaign.”