We spoke to Preet Kaur Gill MP to get an insight into what life is like as a woman MP. She is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Birmingham, Edgbaston, and has been an MP continuously since 8 June 2017. She currently undertakes the role of Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. She is the 480th woman MP ever elected.
What is the thing that has made you most proud of being an MP?
The thing that has made me proudest being an MP is that even in opposition, you can affect change. You can table amendments to bills, or locally demand inquiries, like I did into the toxic culture at University Hospitals Birmingham after numerous doctors and nurses started whistleblowing. I also worked in my constituency to close the first HMO (housing with multiple occupancy) in the country, though it was only through working with residents, police and the council that achieving this was made possible. It just shows how much difference can be made if people come together locally.
Which other female MP do you admire most and why?
I have a lot of admiration for Rachel Reeves. She’ll make history as the first female Chancellor. Plus, she’s incredibly kind and down to earth. Rachel is a real role model – she’s given my girls confidence in maths and showed them that they can do anything they put their minds to.
Have you worked cross-party with other women MPs? On what and what did it achieve?
I often work cross-party with other female MPs, for instance in my role as co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief. It’s great to see women across the political spectrum unite in the fight for the right for freedom of religion or belief to be recognised worldwide. As well as this, I’ve written letters to Parliament with other cross-party MPs to defend women and our rights. For example, I and over 71 cross-party women MPs signed a letter of solidarity with Meghan Markle for taking a stand against media coverage of her and her family. I and over 80 cross-party MPs also wrote a letter to the Northern Irish Minister of Health, asking him to ensure that women and girls in Northern Ireland have access to safe, legal and local abortion services.
What is the most important thing that women MPs bring to politics?
The most important thing that women MPs bring to politics is our whole selves; our lived experience, our diverse voices and our diverse journeys. It’s also, of course, that we represent half of the population.
What piece of advice would you give to a woman seeking to become an MP?
The advice I’d give to a woman looking to become an MP is “just go for it”. Believe in yourself! There will be barriers, and people will try to put you off, but that’s no reason to stop trying. Having said that, I would recommend having a fallback career. Just in case!