2028 is the Centenary of the Equal Franchise Act, when women achieved the vote on equal terms with men. All major parties have committed to equal representation in Parliament by this date. For this to be achieved, we not only need to improve the pipeline of women joining Parliament, we need to ensure that women want to stay in Parliament when they get there. And with 40% of women, elected as MPs and with a new cohort of around 335 new MPs, taking their place on the green benches, now is the time for cultural reform!
We need a culture change in Parliament. Too often, women, Black and minoritised people and disabled people are left sidelined by processes, procedures and behaviours. We need to make Parliament a place where all MPs can contribute equally, whatever their gender, background or life stage. This will also attract more women into politics.
