Centenary Action - for an equal and representative democracy<br />
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Mission 2028

Mission 2028 - Centenary Action

Delivering a diverse and gender equal parliament

“Great is the work that remains to be accomplished.”
– Sylvia Pankhurst

Post the July 2024 General Election, the UK Parliament has reached a historic milestone with 41% of MPs now being women. A total of 263 female MPs were elected, a significant increase from 220 in 2019, with almost half of these women new to the Commons. Since then, two more woman MP have been elected, bringing the total to 265. This marks the first time in parliamentary history that all the women ever elected as MPs could theoretically fill the entire House of Commons chamber, 106 years after they were first allowed to stand as MPs.

While this progress is commendable, it’s crucial to recognise that it’s still insufficient and the pace of change remains slow. Women constitute 51% of the population, yet their representation in Parliament remains unequal. The UK currently ranks 27th in international standings for women’s representation in national parliaments, highlighting the need for continued efforts towards gender parity. We need to ensure that progress towards equal representation is maintained and equality becomes fully embedded so we cannot go backwards. 

This issue is not just about fairness. Research shows that more inclusive legislatures offer significant benefits: they broaden the scope of debate to include policies impacting women and families, and reduce public disengagement. Women in politics are generally more likely to base their arguments on lived experiences, focus on issues and policies, and adopt a less adversarial, more collaborative approach. Women in UK politics have demonstrated effectiveness in cross-party collaboration on issues important to women. They have championed legislation that significantly impacts women’s lives. When power is more equally shared, democracy and society as a whole are strengthened. 

All major political parties have pledged to achieve a gender-equal parliament by 2028, the centenary of the equal franchise. To meet this goal, concrete actions are necessary. Collaborating with government, Parliament, and political parties to fulfil the cross-party pledge we will leverage our coalition of over 100 organisations, representing more than eight million women, to advocate for gender parity in parliament. 

Key actions we are calling for include:

  1. Enact Section 106 of the Equality Act: Mandate parties to publish candidate data across all protected characteristics. This transparency will highlight parties failing to select diverse candidates, encouraging swift action to improve candidate selection procedures.
  2. Integrate gender sensitivity into the work of The Modernisation Committee: to ensure Parliament is a workplace that works for women and addresses the issues driving women out of politics.
  3. Hold a gender sensitive audit of Parliament: To identify barriers to gender equality within Parliament and provide actionable recommendations to create a more inclusive, effective, and representative institution.
  4. Address abuse and intimidation against women in politics: Through implementing the Jo Cox Civility Commission recommendations and ensuring that parliament takes an institutional approach to addressing Violence Against women in Politics (VAWP).
  5. Establish a funding scheme for Disabled candidates: Ensure disabled candidates can contest elections on a level playing field, promoting greater inclusivity.
  6. Political parties to develop action plans for achieving equal representation: By reviewing candidate data and selection processes.
  7. Policy approach informed by diverse women’s experiences: Systematically incorporate women’s experiences into policy-making so that policy and legislation truly reflect the needs of women. Ensure that research addresses gaps in data and evidence.
  8. Provide opportunities for girls and young women to develop their confidence in political engagement:  Improve the citizenship education curriculum to address this.
  9. Create a national leadership and political participation programme for women: Build the pipeline of women candidates through ensuring women are equipped to stand for election.

In summary, while the increase in female representation is a step forward, achieving true gender parity requires ongoing effort, structural changes, and a steadfast commitment to equality. By taking these actions, we can ensure that women have their rightful place in the political landscape, enhancing democracy and benefiting society at large.