THE Labour Party could decide as soon as Monday whether to have all-women short-lists for the selection of candidates for two marginal seats.

Many in the party had anticipated that its National Executive Committee (NEC) would decide yesterday whether an all-women shortlist or an open list should be used to select a candidate for the Wavertree seat.

Instead, yesterday's meeting of the NEC set up a special selection panel that will hold its first meeting on Monday, a senior source said.

The Daily Post understands that it will consider the fate of Sefton Central, and could also consider that of Wavertree.

The party's candidacy for Wavertree fell vacant after Jane Kennedy announced she would be standing down at the next general election.

Wavertree vice-chairman Louise Baldock said the local party will meet on Friday to decide if it has a preference for an all-women shortlist, or an open list.

Sefton Central is a new seat, created mostly out of the current Crosby seat which is occupied by Claire Curtis-Thomas who is standing down at the next election.

The local Sefton Central Labour party has already met to decide its preference, but the decision was not being made public.

The NEC has also shortened the normal selection process for candidates.