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Electoral systems and party strategies in Britain: Women candidates in the 1999 and 2004 European parliamentary elections

Abstract The two most recent elections to the European Parliament offer an interesting opportunity to evaluate the extent to which parties in Great Britain can, and do utilise the regional list system to promote a balance between male and female representatives. A clear distinction exists between equality in the form of candidate numbers and equality in the form of elected representatives, and as such, consideration is given to the gender balance of party lists within each region. Whilst incumbency considerations may impact upon candidate selection and ordering in established parties, it is not necessarily the case that ‘newer’ parties offer the best opportunities for women candidates, as the UK Independence Party clearly demonstrates.