DEMONSTRATORS are expected to protest tonight at a meeting to choose Labour's parliamentary candidate for Blaenau Gwent from an all-women shortlist.

Gwent Police Inspector Jon Everett says he will be at the meeting in Ebbw Vale leisure centre to "gauge the nature of the protest".

Local Assembly Member Peter Law is leading the demonstration against the controversial system designed to increase female representation at Westminster.

Mr Law has said that he would seriously consider running as an independent if an all-women list is imposed on the constituency against the wishes of local party activists.

Sitting MP Llew Smith is due to stand down at the next general election.

An unscientific poll carried out by the Argus suggested that if Mr Law stood against a Labour candidate from an all-women list, he would win Labour's safest Welsh seat.

Mr Law said: "People feel so strongly about the imposition of this undemocratic system that I'm sure many of them will come and demonstrate peacefully. I have heard that a number of people from outside Blaenau Gwent are coming to support us."

Mr Smith also rejects the way his successor is being chosen. "The kids who run the party in Cardiff don't know anything about the people of Blaenau Gwent and care even less.

"I've supported peaceful pickets all my life, and if that's what people decide to do, I will support this one."

The constituency party voted to boycott the selection process, and have written to all members, calling on them not to attend.

A spokeswoman for the Wales Labour Party said: "We have had 21 applications from a good range of local women and candidates from further afield.

"We have had a lot of interest from members and a lot of postal ballot applications. If people want to demonstrate, that is their choice."

Members who attend will vote on a shortlist and on how to proceed. The shortlisted candidates will return on December 11 for the final ballot.