As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Equality Act 2010, help build cross-party support for #Enact106 by writing to your MP.
Use the template below to ask your MP if they will support the need for more diversity in politics.
Find out who your MP is and contact details here.
MP Name
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Date
Dear [Name] MP,
Improving representation in politics through section 106
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed deep often hidden inequalities in our society.
Without diversity in politics, inequality can remain hidden and poorly considered in laws, policies and programmes. It should not take a pandemic to reveal that disabled people and Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities are more susceptible to certain types of illness or suffer greater socio-economic disadvantage, or that women in the workforce do more low paid work and in more unsafe conditions than men.
Now as we start to Build Back Better we must also seek to represent better.
However, diversity within politics is still very low. Women make up only one third of the House of Commons, only 63 MPs are Black, Asian or ethnic minority, and a mere 5 have a self-declared disability.
[Optional paragraph – why is this topic important to you?]
One of the major obstacles to achieving more diversity in politics is the lack of representation among candidates. Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 could change this. If brought into force, it would require political parties to publish diversity data on candidates standing for election. Section 106 has cross-party support and was included in the Labour, Liberal Democrats, SNP and Green Party manifestos.
Implementing section 106 is a simple but important step in ensuring all parties do their bit to improve representation – and ensuring our elected chambers reflect the voters they represent.
I would like to ask you to support Centenary Action’s campaign to #Enact106 and write to Liz Truss, the Minister for Women and Equalities, urging her to implement section 106.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Equality Act 2010, I’m asking if you will support the need for more diversity in politics.
Yours Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Insert your postcode]