News / Gender Equality
A woman’s place is in Parliament
Bristol may be bucking the trend, but nationwide, women are underrepresented in politics – making up just 29 per cent of candidates in the 2017 General Election.
A project aimed at redressing this imbalance will run its first workshop in the city on Thursday, April 19, and 50 people are already booked to attend.
The Parliament Project is a non-partisan initiative that seeks to inspire, empower and encourage women to run for political office in the UK, and is collaborating with Bristol Women’s Voice (BWV) to organise the event.
is needed now More than ever
Some of Bristol’s Labour MPs and councillors, pictured with CEO of Bristol Music Trust Louise Mitchell, at a reception in Westminster
“Bristol is home to so many inspiring women who do amazing work in their communities,” says Ellie Vowles, BWV coordinator.
“We want to encourage those women to get involved in politics, stand for election and continue to campaign for the things that matter to them.
“We hope that this session, and others like it, will help women to see that they already have the skills to be a councillor or MP and that City Hall and Parliament are, and should be, places for them.”
BWV organised a lantern parade through the streets of Bristol to mark the 100th anniversary of some women getting the vote. Image credit: evoke pictures
Following a strong 50:50 Campaign in Bristol, the 2016 elections saw progress with 30 women elected out of 70 councillors, taking women’s representation up to 43 per cent, with some parties achieving 50 per cent or more.
Of the city’s four Labour MPs, three are women.
Vicky Booth, co-director of the Parliament Project, said: “We know that there are huge numbers of women out there with the skills, talent and ambition to stand for elected office – but yet women made up only 29 per cent of candidates in the 2017 General Election.
“The Parliament Project creates a space for women to explore their political ambition, understand what the roles involve, get inspired, and network with other women doing the same.”
The Bristol workshop, ‘Explore your Political Pathway’, will take place at St Michael’s Parish Hall, Park Lane at 7pm on Thursday, April 19.
Eleanor Combley is one of the guest speakers
The event is free, but people must register at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-your-political-pathway-bristol-tickets-44477135309.
The workshop will be delivered by Nicola Waterworth, one of the Parliament Project leads for the North and includes guest speakers Eleanor Combley, leader of the Green Group, and Labour councillor for Lawrence Hill Marg Hickman.
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