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Why aren’t there more women standing for election? Why aren’t there more women standing for election?
(3 days later)
With little of the fervour that surrounds a general election, next week more than 2,600 people will be elected across the UK to democratically accountable positions.With little of the fervour that surrounds a general election, next week more than 2,600 people will be elected across the UK to democratically accountable positions.
This includes 129 seats in the Scottish parliament, 60 seats in the Welsh assembly, 108 members of the legislative assembly in Northern Ireland, 25 seats in the London assembly and some 2,260 councillors in 124 local authorities in England. Plus 41 police and crime commissioners and four directly elected mayors in London, Liverpool, Bristol and Salford.This includes 129 seats in the Scottish parliament, 60 seats in the Welsh assembly, 108 members of the legislative assembly in Northern Ireland, 25 seats in the London assembly and some 2,260 councillors in 124 local authorities in England. Plus 41 police and crime commissioners and four directly elected mayors in London, Liverpool, Bristol and Salford.
We don’t yet know how many of those 2,627 democratically elected people, at all levels of government, will be women. But a look at recent trends suggests there is little likelihood of a major breakthrough. The best guess is that the number won’t change dramatically. Indeed, there is every chance of fewer women on all these bodies because that is the dispiriting truth of what appears to be happening in public life; there are fewer women in politics.We don’t yet know how many of those 2,627 democratically elected people, at all levels of government, will be women. But a look at recent trends suggests there is little likelihood of a major breakthrough. The best guess is that the number won’t change dramatically. Indeed, there is every chance of fewer women on all these bodies because that is the dispiriting truth of what appears to be happening in public life; there are fewer women in politics.
In the 2015 general election, 191 women were elected as MPs in the House of Commons. That was a record high, but is still less than a third, at 29%, and the figure is even lower in the House of Lords, where only 25% of peers are female.In the 2015 general election, 191 women were elected as MPs in the House of Commons. That was a record high, but is still less than a third, at 29%, and the figure is even lower in the House of Lords, where only 25% of peers are female.
In Cardiff, 40% of Welsh assembly members elected in 2011 were women, which on paper is a better result than in Scotland or the UK as a whole. But it is still less than the high point in 2003, when the assembly achieved a fully equal, 50:50 gender split. In Holyrood, 45 of the 129 MSPs elected in 2011 were women: 35%. But, as in Wales, although this is higher than in Westminster, it still falls short of 2003, when 40% (51) women were elected. In Cardiff, 40% of Welsh assembly members elected in 2011 were women, which on paper is a better result than in Scotland or the UK as a whole. But it is still less than the high point in 2003, when the assembly achieved a fully equal, 50:50 gender split. In Holyrood, 45 of the 129 MSPs elected in 2011 were women: 35%. But, as in Wales, although this is higher than in Westminster, it still falls short of 2003, when 40% (51) of those elected were women.
The picture gets worse in Northern Ireland, where only 20 women were elected to the legislative assembly in 2011 – 18.5% of the total seats and an increase of just two since 2007.The picture gets worse in Northern Ireland, where only 20 women were elected to the legislative assembly in 2011 – 18.5% of the total seats and an increase of just two since 2007.
As for the 41 police and crime commissioners (PCC) elected for the first time in 2012, we only have six (15%) women.As for the 41 police and crime commissioners (PCC) elected for the first time in 2012, we only have six (15%) women.
And recent Guardian analysis of the Labour and Conservative PCC candidates standing this May shows the number of female candidates from the two parties has almost halved: from 21 out of 82 in 2012 to just 11 out of 80.And recent Guardian analysis of the Labour and Conservative PCC candidates standing this May shows the number of female candidates from the two parties has almost halved: from 21 out of 82 in 2012 to just 11 out of 80.
The mayoral races fare little better. Four mayors will be directly elected in England to replace four men. Of the 35 mayoral hopefuls, 29 are men and just six (17%) are women.The mayoral races fare little better. Four mayors will be directly elected in England to replace four men. Of the 35 mayoral hopefuls, 29 are men and just six (17%) are women.
In London, women are more visible, comprising a quarter of the 12 candidates hoping to replace Boris Johnson and one of them is standing for the Women’s Equality party. In London, women are more visible, comprising a quarter of the 12 candidates hoping to replace Boris Johnson as mayor. Of these, one is standing for the Women’s Equality party.
Of the 202 candidates putting themselves forward for the London assembly, if all the women were elected, female representation would jump from 32 to 40%.Of the 202 candidates putting themselves forward for the London assembly, if all the women were elected, female representation would jump from 32 to 40%.
Across England, 31% of councillors are women. But when it comes to those running our town halls, latest figures from the Centre for Women and Democracy show that women make up only 15% of council leaders.Across England, 31% of councillors are women. But when it comes to those running our town halls, latest figures from the Centre for Women and Democracy show that women make up only 15% of council leaders.
It is not all gloom, however. It’s well-noted already that women have risen to political prominence in Scotland, where three party leaders are women, including Nicola Sturgeon, who is expected to continue as first minister and to be one of the most powerful politicians in the UK. In Wales, two of the party leaders are women, including the high profile Leanne Wood for Plaid Cymru.It is not all gloom, however. It’s well-noted already that women have risen to political prominence in Scotland, where three party leaders are women, including Nicola Sturgeon, who is expected to continue as first minister and to be one of the most powerful politicians in the UK. In Wales, two of the party leaders are women, including the high profile Leanne Wood for Plaid Cymru.
But while the votes here in the UK are counted this week, 400 female political leaders from countries around the world are meeting in Jordan, to push for further, faster change in women’s participation in political life.But while the votes here in the UK are counted this week, 400 female political leaders from countries around the world are meeting in Jordan, to push for further, faster change in women’s participation in political life.
This year’s global summit of Women in Parliaments, the Brussels-based group campaigning for more women in politics, will give an opportunity for female leaders from across the globe to share tactics and best practice.This year’s global summit of Women in Parliaments, the Brussels-based group campaigning for more women in politics, will give an opportunity for female leaders from across the globe to share tactics and best practice.
The title of the meeting is Women in Politics: fast forward. For many of those standing in UK elections it can’t come quickly enough.The title of the meeting is Women in Politics: fast forward. For many of those standing in UK elections it can’t come quickly enough.