Keighley and Ilkley Labour MP Ann Cryer has been chosen to sit on a committee looking at how the House of Commons can be more representative of the community.

Mrs Cryer will join other MPs on the Speakers Conference, which has been set up to increase the number of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people in Parliament.

She said: I am pleased to have been asked and I hope every party in the House of Commons encourages more women to come forward to be MPs.

“It is still a very male-dominated field.

“We need more women as they have different opinions and experiences.

“We are also looking at ways to encourage more ethnic minorities and disabled people to Parliament.”

The committee will meet in the New Year.