| Women in Politics |
| 07/06/2005 |
|
Well, now that the dust has settled after the General Election, let’s take a look at how women fared. Interestingly (now that all-women shortlists have again been allowed), we’ve once again got a record-number of women MPs - 19.8% (up from 18% at the 2001 general election). The numbers per party are as follows:
128 women MPs (of 645)
Just to put it into context, the 1997 election broke the record books with 120 women MPs up from just 63. In 2001, 115 women were elected. Now it’s 128. I mentioned all-women shortlists earlier because they were banned for the 2001 election and the number of women MPs fell. Just an observation! In addition, we’ve finally found out who will be heading up the Women and Equality Unit (though they haven’t yet updated their website…) Tessa Jowell (Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport) is the new Minister for Women, taking over from Patricia Hewitt. Meg Munn, MP for Sheffield Heeley takes over from Jacqui Smith as Deputy Minister. There’s been lots of controversy over the ministerial team as Meg Munn’s appointment was omitted from the official full list of ministers issued on May 10 and it seems that she will not be paid for her duties - as opposed to every other junior minister who will receive an additional salary for their work. Typical.
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