Aspiring Rochdale woman shadows MP in Parliament for the day

Rachel Massey accompanied Tony Lloyd MP around Parliament for the day

Rachel Massey chose to accompany Tony Lloyd MP around Parliament for the day as part of a massive event aimed at encouraging more women to stand for election.

The initiative saw more than 300 women from all parts of the country descend on Westminster to highlight the need for more women in politics. 

Currently men outnumber women by more than 2:1 in the Commons, 45% of Labour MPs are women, dropping down to 21% for Conservative MPs. Only 33% of local councillors in the UK are women.

This weeks ‘Ask Her To Stand’ event was aimed at closing the gap.

In the century since women were first able to stand for election, only 491 women have gained seats at Westminster, compared to 4,503 men. In the 2017 General Election, just 12 extra women were elected to Parliament, campaigners say at this rate it will take another half century to achieve the gender balanced Parliament that all the political parties agree we should be working towards. To be truly representative Parliament should reflect the people it serves and at the moment it doesn’t. Laws and regulations will never properly reflect the needs or diversity of our country and communities until the numbers are evened up.

The women spent time shadowing their MP and experiencing first-hand what it means to be a Member of Parliament. They were invited to take part in workshops and listen to talks and Prime Minister’s Questions to get a full picture of what it means to stand for political office.

The day was organised by campaigners from 50:50 Parliament in partnership with the Jo Cox Foundation, Fawcett Society and the Centenary Action Group to celebrate the centenary of the Qualification of Women Act which allowed women to stand as political candidates for the first time.

Tony Lloyd MP said: “We need more women to stand for public office. At all levels in politics from the grass roots to Westminster we have two men for every one woman, meaning that our debates, laws and institutions are missing the voices, experiences and talent of women who would make excellent representatives. I hope that today inspires great women such as Rachel to stand for election to give us all broader and more representative decision making.”

Rachel Massey added: “It was a truly empowering day, and I am very grateful to Tony for going above and beyond to really show what’s involved as an MP.  The events and workshops were inspirational. The need for women, especially young women and mums, to stand and represent their communities both locally and nationally is clear. 

"We are missing out on the voices, experiences and talents of women who would make excellent representatives. I will certainly be working towards overcoming the barriers that stand in the way of women getting into politics, and will absolutely be putting myself forward to stand at the next opportunity.”

Director of 50:50 Parliament and organiser, Frances Scott, said: “What better way to celebrate the centenary of women being allowed to stand than by actually asking women to stand for elected office? It is fantastic that so many MPs have participated in our Ask Her To Stand Day by inviting women to Parliament. It is a clear demonstration that Westminster does welcome women.”