Published: 14 February 2013

By RICHARD OSLEY

POTENTIAL male candidates for the Hampstead and Kilburn seat have been dealt a blow with an indication that the Labour Party will impose an all women shortlist in their search for a replacement for MP Glenda Jackson.

Sadiq Khan, shadow minister for London and the party's general election strategist for the capital, said: "It frankly beggars belief that in 2013 we still only have one in five parliamentarians who are women."

He made his comments in an interview with the Evening Standard today.

Ms Jackson confirmed last month that she is not seeking re-election in Hampstead and Kilburn after more than 20 years as the area's MP.

Although Mr Khan did not specifically mention the constituency, the newspaper reported that half of Labour's key London seats would see all women shortlists used in the search for candidates.

The fact that the exiting MP here is a woman could make it ripe for central office to call for the measure, aimed at creating a more representative parliamentary party.

Privately, some local members have suggested they do not like the idea of having rules dictated to them and they want to make sure they retain a big say on who stands for the party. Ms Jackson won by only 42 votes in 2010 in what became a three-way battle with the Conservatives and the Lib Dems.

If an all-woman shortlist was imposed it would end the chances for two councillors in the north west of the borough who have been asked to throw their hat into the ring.

Both Kilburn councillors, Mike Katz and Thomas Gardiner have been marked out as possible contenders.

Cllr Katz said: "It would be a tremendous honour to follow in Glenda's footsteps.  I've lived and campaigned in the seat for 12 years, so when members ask you about standing, you give it serious consideration."

Cllr Gardiner added: ""Glenda will be a tough act to follow for whoever becomes our candidate. I am flattered that members have been asking me to stand in the constituency I was born and brought up in. If the party decide it should be an open selection and if members continue encouraging me to stand then I will strongly consider putting my name forward."