AN all-woman shortlist has been imposed on Labour Party activists in Wakefield.
Party bosses in London decided on the move after sitting MP David Hinchliffe said he would not be standing at the next General Election.
Now, only women candidates have been invited to apply for the Labour nomination.
A Labour spokes- man said the long-term aim was to have a 50-50 split of men and women MPs.
Mr Hinchliffe, 54, said he was happy with the decision.
He added: "It's shameful that in the House of Commons in the 21st century only 18% of MPs are women.
"Positive discrimination in the selection of candidates is, at this time, the only way to ensure that our democratic structures are representative to the population, where women are in the majority."
One front runner in Wakefield is reported to be Nicola Murphy, a special adviser in the Treasury and former chief political research officer for the Labour Party.
Mr Hinchliffe said last year he wanted to retire to spend time on other aspects of life outside politics.
He has held the Wakefield seat - which includes Kirkburton and Denby Dale - since 1987. He is also chairman of the Commons Health Select Committee.
Only 119 MPs out of 659 are women, with Labour having 94, the Tories 14 and the Liberal Democrats six.
