It is well known that democracy is better where we have more diverse political institutions. But good parliaments do not just happen – we need our political leaders to act decisively to bring them about. Allowing more flexibility in the way Parliament operates long-term would open the doors to a more diverse range of people who want to take an active part in our political life. This is needed, not just because it is the fairest way to proceed, but because the quality of policies developed will be so much better when a wider range of views are considered. During the COVID-19 pandemic changes to the way Parliament operates were realised out of necessity but we have slipped back to old ways. It also means tackling the ongoing harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct that are too highly prevalent within Parliament
We want to see improvements across the board to ensure Parliament is open to all, including those with caring responsibilities, illness or who have a disability. And that it is responsive to the needs and interests of the public. The recommendations in this report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Women in Parliament sets out what we want to see happen.
Meeting with Minister for Disability
We had a constructive and positive joint meeting with Stephen Timms MP, The Minister for Disability in April 2026. The meeting was held jointly with colleagues from Disability...
Making Parliament Work for Women: Cat Smith MP on the work of the Procedure Committee
On Wednesday 21st January Centenary Action hosted an event alongside our partners at 50:50 Parliament and the APPG Women in Parliament focused on Making Parliament Work for...
Meeting with the Leader of the House
We were pleased to meet with Sir Alan Campbell MP, Leader of the House of Commons, alongside Lyanne Nicholl from 50:50 Parliament to discuss how Parliament can better support...
Evidence to the Procedure Committee
On Wednesday 5th November our Steering Group member Sarabajaya Kumar gave evidence to the House of Commons Procedure Committee inquiry into call lists, urging MPs to ensure that...
Submission to the Modernisation Committee Inquiry into Access to the House of Commons
We submitted evidence to the Modernisation Committee inquiry into Access to the House of Commons and its procedures with input from our Academic Advisory Group, partner...
Submission to the Procedure Committee Inquiry into Call Lists
We submitted evidence to the Procedure Committee inquiry into Call Lists with input from our Academic Advisory Group. We offered evidence in support of the introduction of call...
Submission to the Procedure Committee Inquiry on Electronic Voting
In response to the Procedure Committee's inquiry into electronic voting, we submitted evidence developed with input from our Academic Advisory Group. Our submission supported the...
UK voters support reforms to make parliament more family friendly
In this blog Dr Jessica C. Smith, shares her recent research into UK voters attitudes to MPs taking parental leave. Parliaments often overlook MPs' family needs, and this poses...
Submission to the Modernisation Committee
In response to the new Modernisation Committee's call for views, we wrote a submission jointly with King's Global Institute for Women's Leadership, with input from our Academic...
Letter to Lucy Powell MP, Chair of the Modernisation Committee
Following the establishment of the new Modernisation Committee, Centenary Action convened academics with expertise in how parliament works for women and women MPs, to write to...
Celebrating Women in Parliament – Next steps to gender equality
Centenary Action’s next event will be in the House of Commons, where we will celebrate the work of women MPs and consider next steps for gender equality. We will hear from new...
Inaugural Meeting of the Women in Parliament APPG
Centenary Action is delighted to be taking on the role of Secretariat for the Women in Parliament APPG. The inaugural meeting was held on 23rd October 2024. At the meeting Mims...
Modernisation Without a Gender and Diversity Sensitivity Focus is not Modernisation: An Agenda for the New Modernisation Committee
Professor Sarah Childs, Dr Marc Geddes, Professor Meryl Kenny, & Dr Jessica Smith from the University of Edinburgh reflect on the establishment of the new Modernisation...
Letter to Keir Starmer
We wrote to the new Prime Minister to celebrate 40% of MPs being women for the first time and to push for more action to achieve a gender equal parliament by 2028.
A House for Everyone: A Case for Modernising Parliament
In this blog Lizzie Ville, Senior Policy and Research Officer at the Fawcett Society, shares insights from her recent research project on the experiences of women MPs and what...
MPs call for urgent review of hybrid Parliament measures
Prominent MPs from across all political parties have submitted a letter to the Leader of the House of Commons urging him to initiate a review of hybrid Parliament measures....
21st Century Politics: Modernising Parliament
Parliament lacks the effective representation it needs to reflect today’s diverse society. Despite some advances in the past decade, women only make up 40% of MPs. The current...
Call for MPs to be granted maternity cover
Public life and parental leave must be open to all. Yet, MPs still do not have automatic access to formal maternity leave. Centenary Action has signed a joint letter from Stella...
Time limits to ICGS will restrict victims from coming forward in Parliament
Centenary Action, a coalition campaigning to improve women’s political participation, are warning against the news* that MPs are set to approve a change to the complaints system...
Gender Sensitive Parliament Inquiry
Women MPs in the House of Commons, like their counterparts globally, continue to face barriers to gender equality. Last month the Women and Equalities Committee held an open call...
New report calls for retaining virtual measures
Measures allowing MPs to attend Parliamentary business virtually from their constituency or home are under review and likely to be scrapped next month, despite the fact that over...
Response to IPSA Consultation on Parental Leave
IPSA, the body which regulates and administers MPs' staffing and business costs, has announced a proposal to create a MP Parental Leave Cover Fund and policy which will...
MPs must have right to parental leave
https://twitter.com/CentenaryAction/status/1359804514405122050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1359804514405122050%7Ctwgr%5Ee33b2a5c0b39aa9d582c6dc99a63f142e8c...
Removing the barriers for new mothers in politics
Centenary Action were joined by politicians and campaigners to discuss hostility towards new parents in politics and the path forward in making politics more accessible for...
Centenary Action calls for immediate action to allow virtual participation in all HoC proceedings
We are calling on The Leader of the House to immediately bring forward a motion to allow additional virtual participation in all House of Commons proceedings....
Proxy voting made permanent
MPs have adopted proxy voting for new parents as a permanent policy, which will guarantee the right of MPs’ constituents to have their voice and vote recorded in Parliament, even...
Centenary Action leads calls against allowing MPs to debate cases of bullying and harassment
62 women’s rights organisations, activists and Parliamentary staff have signed our letter to the Leader of the House to urge him against allowing MPs to debate cases of bullying...
End of hybrid measures risks creating two-tier Parliament
Centenary Action has coordinated a cross-party letter signed by 36 MPs to the Speaker of the House of Commons calling on him to ensure all MPs can continue to participate in...
Procedure Committee inquiry into proxy voting
March 2020