LABOUR lost the last General Election largely because it failed to attract women voters - now Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson has to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Her new appointment as Labour's Shadow Minister for Women means Mrs Anderson will have to make sure her party's policies are attractive and relevant to women - who constitute the majority of the electorate.

The post is seen by leader Tony Blair as one of the key campaigning roles in the crucial run-up to the next election.

And Mrs Anderson's appointment is being seen at Westminster as confirmation that she is regarded as one of her party's rising stars and among those assured of a prominent position if Labour forms the next government.

This will be in contrast to her last job as an Opposition Whip in which she worked mainly in the background rather than on the floor of the Commons.

She said she would be consulting closely with her own women constituents.

Stressing her pleasure at getting the post, she said she aims to build on the work already done on Women's Affairs by her predecessor Tessa Jowell.

"I will be drawing very heavily on the experiences of women in my own constituency and on their concerns about issues such as low pay, part-time work, fear of crime, poverty in old age and family security," she explained.

"Those are the issues which concern women and my job will be to work with other front bench colleagues to ensure that Labour has the correct policies in place for government."

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