Despite some gains in the last general election the communities hardest hit by COVID-19 are those least represented in politics, according to a new report ‘Data Drives Diversity’ published today.
Politicians will continue to be male, pale and posh until the government mandates more transparent constituency recruitment, says Helen Pankhurst descendant of the Suffragettes and Convenor of the Centenary Action .
Despite some gains in the last general election the communities hardest hit by COVID-19 are those least represented in politics, according to a new report ‘Data Drives Diversity’ published today by the campaigners.
Women make up only one third of the House of Commons, just 63 MPs are BAME and only 5 have a self-declared disability.
Yet Black men and women are four times more likely to die from the virus than their white counterparts; more than half of all coronavirus deaths involved a disabled person and women in the workforce are more likely to do low paid work and in more exposed, consumer facing roles than men.
The ‘Data Drives Diversity’ report demonstrates that by taking a simple step the government could level up politics. By mandating political parties to be more open about the diversity of candidates applying to represent them at constituency level the government could ensure those hardest hit by the virus get representatives chosen from a broader range of society that better understands their needs.
This measure was considered so important to driving diversity it was enshrined in section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 but is yet to be enacted.
Speaking at the launch of the report Helen Pankhurst said: “There is no publicly available data on the diversity of candidates in this country.”
“Obviously it is only the chosen candidate that appears on the ballot paper – but who gets eliminated before this choice is made? It is all done in secret, behind closed doors, so we have no idea.”
“Today it is almost impossible to get a job in the private or public sector without having to submit diversity data. So why should politics be any different?”
“We don’t know how many women step forward; how many candidates from diverse backgrounds hope to stand or how many candidates with disabilities seek election. Making this a compulsory practice now, would mean it was in place for the next round of UK elections.”
“Candidate selection needs to move into the spotlight. Important decisions that affect every community across the country should be available for all to see. The time to enact Section 106 is now”.
The ‘Data Drives Diversity’ report sets out how data could be collected in a simple, non-burdensome way. It states that only data on gender, ethnicity and disability should be collected initially and only once that is underway could other data be considered.
The Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, the SNP and the Green Party all welcome this approach and some already keep data informally. They have responded to the Data Drives Diversity report saying:
Caroline Nokes MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities committee:
“Parliament can never truly represent the people of the UK until it represents everyone in the UK. I want to see more women MPs. I want to see more MPs from BAME communities and more disabled MPs too. Representatives chosen from a broad range of society will benefit everyone and we should do everything in our power, to make this happen soon”.
Marsha De Cordova MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities:
“Labour supports the enactment of section 106, so that all political parties publish diversity data about their candidates. Labour is the Party of equality and will continue to work towards the increase in diversity that Parliament so desperately needs”.
Mhairi Black MP, SNP Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland:
“In order for laws to be made that are meaningful to society then Parliament has to reflect society and we don’t see enough of that. The only way it can change is if more people take part in politics”.
Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat, Health and Wellbeing Spokesperson:
“We’ve still got an enormous diversity deficit. I urge women, whatever your background – whether you are a BAME woman or a disabled woman please come forward – we need more of you in politics”.
Caroline Lucas MP, Green Party:
“Government and Parliament should reflect who we are as a nation in all its diversity, yet the House of Commons and ministerial ranks continue to be dominated by privately educated, middle class men. If we are to change this, it needs to start with transparency about who wants to be a candidate so we can see who is being turned away. There is still a long way to go”.
Notes to Editors: A copy of the Data Drives Diversity report can be found here. Centenary Action is a cross-party coalition of over 100 organisations, activists and politicians campaigning to improve women’s representation at every level of politics.
Contacts: Deb Hermer on 07747 762643 or Hannah Swirsky swirsky@careinternational.org