Exclusive: WE to vote after leaders conclude model no longer works although its ‘mission is as urgent as ever’

• Why we’ve made the difficult decision to back a motion to close WE

The leader and co-founders of the Women’s Equality party (WE) will recommend that members vote to close it down at a special meeting called for next month.

Financial challenges and a changed political and media landscape mean that, after a decade of activism, the party is no longer the most effective way to campaign for women’s rights, said its leader, Mandu Reid.