MP LEADS CAMPAIGN TO GET MORE WOMEN TO WESTMINSTER

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Jul 2008

On the 80th anniversary of women receiving equality with men at the ballot box*, City and County MP Sandra Gidley led activists outside parliament to call for more women in parliament.

Women currently make up just 20% of the House of Commons, a figure virtually unchanged in a generation.

Sandra's call comes as new research from the Electoral Reform Society has revealed that despite efforts by all parties, not enough has been done to ensure that an increase in women MPs at the next General Election is even a possibility.

Commenting today from Westminster, Sandra said:

"This year marks 90 years since women in Britain first won the vote and 80 years since we saw full equality of the sexes at the ballot box. Sadly though, equality in law has not meant equality at Westminster.

"Any parliament should look like the society it seeks to represent. If Britain was 80% male, this would be a fair reflection - but obviously this is not the case.

"Sadly, whichever way you spin it, the next election will not prove to be a watershed moment for women in politics. Progress has always been hard fought, and despite the rhetoric, all our parties are simply not doing enough."

"In the last decade when we've needed concerted effort, we've seen stagnation. The Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for proportional representation as where proportional voting systems have been introduced more women have been elected."

Dr Ken Ritchie, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society added:

"The parties talk a lot about the need for greater equality but in every likely scenario for the next election, they can't deliver. That's not to say the parties have done nothing - just not enough.

"And the blame can't just lie with the parties: our voting system has consistently failed women - and minority groups. The evidence from around the world is unambiguous - where there is a fairer, more proportional system, countries have more women and minority representatives."

Sandra with campaigners calling for more women MPs

ENDS