Posted on 17/11/21
By Rachel Millichip 50:50 Media Team
Support for #AskHerToStand Day 2021 includes video messages from the Prime Minister, party leaders and Jackie Weaver (see videos attached below).
Everyone is encouraging women to #SignUpToStand!
This weekend you can help by sharing 50:50 #AskHerToStand posts from our social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
It’s not often you see all the main political parties united for a cause, but our #AskHerToStand 2021 campaign is doing just that – backed up by local politics legend Jackie Weaver.
We know representation shapes policy and that for women’s voices to be heard women have to be present. Research shows that having women involved improves the quality of debate, resulting in more robust decision making and better outcomes for everyone.
Here at 50:50 Parliament we passionately believe political representation will only be fair when it is equal. We offer practical support to any woman interested in stepping up and taking part in politics, whatever party she supports and wherever she is in the UK. We want women to become part of our #SignUpToStand programme so that our team can help them progress in politics.
As the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said in the video he made for us:
“We cannot rest until 50 per cent of our MPs are women, and that means encouraging more women to stand. In order to succeed, we must encourage more women from a diverse range of backgrounds to put themselves forward.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson in support of #AskHerToStand day 2021
At our #AskHerToStand event on Monday, November 15, we were joined by senior politicians, a representative from the wonderful ElectHer campaign and local politics campaigner Jackie Weaver – famous for being feisty at a Parish Council meeting on Zoom.
(A recording of the 50:50 #AskHerToStand event is available to watch at the bottom of this blog.)
Jackie, who is the Chief Officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils, made it clear she believes women have more sophisticated communication skills than men.
“Men do that thing when they are struggling to get themselves understood, they just talk more slowly and loudly… women have such variety in the way they communicate.
When you bring women into the debating chamber you get nuance.”
Jackie also made some excellent points about supporting and encouraging women to believe in themselves:
“Women are so reticent about the qualities we have. If we are going to encourage women to stand we need to support them – tell them ‘You can do it’. Which is why I am supporting #AskHerToStand day 2021.
Jackie Weaver
A woman will look at a job description and think ‘I don’t tick every box’ so she doesn’t apply. A man will look at it and think ‘I tick 60 per cent – great I’ll go for it’
That’s where our cross-party #AskHerToStand campaign comes in. We call upon everyone to look around them, and if they see a woman who cares about her community and would make a great elected representative then ask her to stand by directing her to our Sign Up To Stand resources.
As Zainab Asunramu of ElectHer said at our panel event of anyone hesitating over whether to come forward:
“You are enough. The fact that you care about your local community is enough for you to get into politics. There are no specific qualifications.”
Zainab Asunramu
It’s not always plain sailing and we recognise that. Conservative MP Victoria Atkins called on all the parties to look inwardly and ensure nothing is standing in the path of getting more women selected and elected.
“All parties have inadvertent blocks to women standing. It’s so important that each party looks at this and identifies where those blocks are. 50:50 Parliament does so much to help with this.”
Victoria Atkins MP
Labour MP Stella Creasy, who is campaigning on removing barriers for women with young children to get into politics with “This Mum Votes UK” highlighted that Parliament could do more to support politicians with young families.
“We want to set up campaigns to get women of childbearing age selected. Women still get asked inappropriate questions during the selection process.”
Despite things not always being easy, Stella made it clear that being an MP is worth it:
“I love being an MP. I love being an advocate for my community. Most people enter politics because they want to change the world.”
Stella Creasy MP
SNP Leader in the House of Commons Ian Blackford MP said
“In a representative democracy it is essential that our elected bodies are truly representative.
Ian Blackford MP
There are some great women politicians who are fantastic role models. But role models are not enough.
Political parties must do more to ensure that the routes to election are open and that women are supported on this journey. We must encourage each other to go further. “
Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse, amplified how much she enjoyed taking part in the political process:
“I like Parliament. It’s about the debate, the competition of ideas and persuasion.”
Wera Hobhouse MP
It’s been 103 years since the act was passed allowing women to stand for election, on November 21, 1918. Since then 5000 MPs have been elected. But less than 600 of those have been women.
We have some way to go.
But action starts here. Are you the kind of woman would like to support your community, give back and get heard? Then Sign up to Stand with 50:50 Parliament.
Do you know a woman who would make a brilliant politician but who just needs that extra bit of encouragement? Then Ask Her to Stand, let her know about the support that 50:50 offers if they click #SignUpToStand.
And this weekend help amplify #AskHerToStand Day 21 November 2021 by sharing posts from 50:50 social media via Twitter , Facebook and Instagram. Thanks!
Together we can make a 50:50 Parliament
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Watch a recording of the event on YouTube here.
50:50 Parliament works with all the political parties to help women get selected and elected at a local and national level.
We are an inclusive, intersectional campaign taking action to empower women into politics with our #AskHerToStand and #SignUpToStand campaigns.
When women click #SignUpToStand via www.5050Parliament.co.uk/signuptostand we:
– send them an interactive Personal Political Profile
– allocate them a 50:50 Buddy
– invite them to weekly party specific Bite Size meetings
– and offer bespoke support to women from diverse groups.
In the corridors of power, men still outnumber women by 2:1. Campaign for change!
To join or find out more at www.5050Parliament.co.uk
To help and become a Friend of 50:50 go to www.5050Parliament.co.uk/donate