Shropshire Star

Contest will take women to Commons

Telford’s MP is inviting women in the town to apply to attend an all-day event in Parliament.

Published
Lucy Allan MP

It will celebrate the 100-year anniversary since women were given the right to vote and is being held to encourage more women to stand for election.

The event has been organised by campaign group 50:50 Parliament, which aims to achieve an inclusive gender-balanced parliament, that draws upon the widest possible pools of talent.

The group encourage and support political engagement, particularly from women and lobby political parties to be more inclusive of women.

Ms Allan would like to hear from women in 100 words about why it matters that more women take part in politics.

Progress

The winner will get to spend the day in Parliament and sit in on the women and equalities select committee as they discuss women’s representation in the Commons and action that needs to be taken to make progress.

There will also be an opportunity to watch Prime Minister’s Question Time live as MPs bring key questions to the chamber and take part in a ‘get elected’ workshop, hosted by the Parliament Project to gain the confidence and skills to stand for election.

On display will also be the 209 Women Art Exhibition which exhibits all 209 portraits of female MPs , created by 209 UK based female photographers, to mark the suffrage centenary.

Ms Allan said: ”There is still a need to normalise women’s participation in politics which can only be achieved by more women participating in public life and equalising the gender balance in Parliament.

“In my experience, female politicians are still treated differently to male MPs as though we are inferior which is wrong.

“Both men and women in politics need to encourage more women to put themselves forward to ensure that our representatives truly reflect the makeup of society.”

To apply to attend the #AskHerToStandDay women should send an email to lucy.allan.mp@parliament.uk

They should write 100 words on why it matters that more women take part in politics.

Names and addresses, including postcodes, should be provided.

Only applicants living in the Telford constituency will be considered.

Visit 5050parliament.co.uk/askhertostand-event-timetable for details.