As the first Labour Women's Conference under a Labour government
for 15 years kicks off today [Saturday], Leader of the House of
Commons has celebrated the progress
made in diversity in politics, and reiterated Labour's commitment
to press forward with change so Parliament truly represents the
country it serves.
The 2024 election was a landmark for women's representation in
the Commons, returning the highest number and highest proportion
of female MPs ever. Labour's historic general election win saw
the Party electing more women MPs than the Tories have in the
last three combined.
Much of this progress was driven by Labour's success at the
election. In 2024, Labour elected their highest number of women
ever. Following the 2024 election, 46% of Labour MPs are women,
compared to 24% of Conservative MPs and 44% of Liberal Democrat
MPs.
Compared to Labour's record, the Conservatives have a long way to
go on gender parity. The Conservatives have never had more than a
quarter of their MPs elected at a general election be women. Not
since 1983 have the Conservatives elected either a higher number
or a higher proportion of female MPs, when they elected 13 women.
There were also a historic number of black and minority ethnic
MPs elected in 2024, coming closer than ever to reflecting the
diversity of the UK, and openly LGBTQ+ MPs are at a record high
for the start of a parliament.
This Labour Government has committed to enacting Section 106 of
the Equality Act, so that political parties have to publish the
number of women candidates they put forward for election and keep
them accountable.
As well as working to get more women, ethnic minority, LGBTQ+ and
disabled MPs elected, ensuring they stay in politics is the next
big challenge. This means changing the culture and working
practices of Parliament to be more inclusive, and family
friendly.
Major changes to the way Parliament works and the culture of
politics tend to happen only under Labour governments. The
previous Labour government, through its original Modernisation
Committee, brought in changes to sitting hours of the House of
Commons, ending the frequent practice of sitting into the early
hours of the morning, as well as removing outdated and gendered
procedures like requiring a top hat to ask a point of order.
The new Labour Government has already set up an updated
Modernisation Committee, which will be tasked with bringing
forward a new generation of reforms to House of Commons
procedures, driving up standards and improving working practices.
The Committee has set out its early priorities, which include
making Parliament more family friendly, addressing issues of
bullying, harassment and sexual harassment, and making the role
of Parliamentarians effective and fulfilling.
After serious concerns about safety of MPs, particularly women
and black and minority ethnic MPs and candidates in the run up to
and during the general election, the Speaker of the House of
Commons has set up a Speakers Conference on MPs' Security, an
initiative that the Government welcomes.
MP, Leader of the House of
Commons, said:
“This Parliament is our most diverse ever, in large part down to
the huge number of Labour MPs who were elected. Our first Women's
Conference under a Labour government in 15 years is a moment to
celebrate.
“But we can't rest on our laurels. If we are to restore trust in
politics, we need a Parliament which properly reflects the
country we serve.
“While getting elected is the first step, we know that many women
leave politics because of the culture, the work-life balance and
because they fear for their safety.
“Through the newly established Modernisation Committee, this
Government will drive through changes to our politics to drive up
standards, improve working practices and making the House of
Commons an accessible and inclusive place to work, looking at how
the House of Commons can be more family friendly, inclusive and
open to all.”
Ends
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