Webchat on women and politics, with Nicky Morgan, Jo Swinson and Gloria De Piero: Tuesday June 24, 1pm

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello



Hopefully lots of you will have seen coverage of our political culture survey over the weekend.

We asked 1200 of you what you thought about Westminster culture, and overwhelmingly you told us that you think that it's sexist, it's not family-friendly, and that to get on in politics you have to be ruthless, ambitious, rich, well-connected and - last but not least - male.

You also told us that you think the political culture in Westminster doesn't lead to politicians being able to take effective decisions about policies that will change people's lives for the better. And you told us that most of you (around two-thirds) would never consider standing for political office.

We're going to be having a webchat on Tuesday at 1pm to discuss the findings with the women's ministers/shadow minister from the three main parties:

Nicky Morgan is the Conservative MP for Loughborough, and is the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Women's Minister

Jo Swinson is the Liberal Democrat MP for East Dunbartonshire, and is the Under-Secretary of State for Employment Relations and the junior Equalities Minister

Gloria De Piero is the Labour MP for Ashfield and Shadow Minister for Women and Equality.

Please join us on Tuesday at 1pm - and if you can't make it then, as ever, please post up any comments or questions in advance.

Thanks
MNHQ

STOP PRESS - DO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS RATHER FABULOUS VIDEO OF NICKY, JO AND GLORIA

[GloriaDePieroMP]

Hi mumsnetters, it's good to be here. looking forward to answering your questions and hearing your ideas on how we make politics a more woman friendly place

[NickyMorganMP]

Hi. Nicky Morgan here - its very nice to be taking part in this chat and I am looking forward to our discussion. I was actually saddened to read the survey results because I really believe we need many more women to be involved in politics at all levels. Now to focus on your posts..

[Bingbongbinglybunglyboo]

Hello,

I have recently become much more aware that newspapers in this country can be extremely sexists in their reporting of news. I was surprised to find out that I couldn't make a complain to the press complaints commission about a specific example found in a broadsheet, as I was not the person the article was about.

Do you think women should be able to complain to a regulatory body about sexist news reporting, even if it is not about them, and if so what do you think is the best way to achieve this?

[GloriaDePieroMP]

@Crumblemum

OK so the problem is pretty well documented. Politicians by and large (present company excepted) just aren't that attractive. They don't seem to know much about everyday life, but at the same time seem to think they know EVERYTHING. They either seem to be not-listening or shouting.

The problems seem so entrenched it will take a long time to improve (sorry to be pessimistic) but what one thing do you think could improve the situation?

Hi Crumblemum. Couldn’t agree more. When I got this job the first thing I did was to go out across the country to listen to what women were saying because I completely agree with you as politicians we don’t do enough listening and learning. If there’s one thing I’d like to change about politics it would be that it’s ok to say ‘I don’t know’. The most off-putting thing is when politicians avoid answering the question rather than saying – I don’t know, or if they sound like they’re reading from a pre-prepared script. It puts people off politics and people getting involved in politics because they feel like they need to know the answer to EVERYTHING, when actually the most important attribute is that you feel passionate about representing your neighbourhood, community and country.

[JoSwinsonMP]

Delighted to be joining you guys for this webchat - my DH has just picked up my son so I don't have to type one-handed!

[NickyMorganMP]

@TeWiSavesTheDay

I'd like to know how each of you got your jobs, and what steps you'd recommend women who'd like to get more involved and maybe stand to be an MP themselves?

I don't know anyone who has had a job in politics personally.

Its a really good question. I was a solicitor before I was elected in 2010. I'd never worked in politics or parliament before arriving here. I joined the Party when I was 16 and simply helped others knock on lots of doors for years. Then in 1999 I thought I would like to have a go at being an MP. Once I got on the candidates list I then applied for constituencies, much like applying for any other job and I was picked by the local party to fight Islington South in 2001 and Loughborough in 2004 and 2006. So, the first step is just to get involved in your local party.

[woeface]

Can I ask all of you what you think of the Rebekah Brooks/Andy Coulson phone-hacking verdict?

Should we be worried about the 'cosy' relationship between political parties and some sections of the media? And what needs to be done to make sure that only those whose probity is unimpeachable get close to power in the future?

[NK5BM3]

Hello there,
thank you for taking part in this webchat. I wonder whether you will be able to comment about your party's efforts to get more women on board at every level, particularly minority group women? A lot of research talks about how difficult it is to get women on board in private organisations (c.f. 30%club etc). How do you think we can change the mindset that it's ok for women to seek board membership or be involved in politics?

[NickyMorganMP]

@JugglingFromHereToThere

I'd just like to say that I feel there's a lot more to politics than Westminster - so much is achieved by campaigning groups, charities, and by local communities to effect real changes in people's lives both at home and around the world.

So a question - do you think people, especially the younger generation, are becoming increasingly bored and disengaged with the narrow politics of Westminster? And perhaps putting their energies and abilities elsewhere to achieve change?

I certainly think that younger people are becoming more engaged by particular issues rather than joining a Party. Campaigning groups do achieve change and the good ones get their points across well. But ultimately it is MPs as law makers who can really change things and that is why I wanted to be elected and why we need more women here.

[JoSwinsonMP]

@Crumblemum

OK so the problem is pretty well documented. Politicians by and large (present company excepted) just aren't that attractive. They don't seem to know much about everyday life, but at the same time seem to think they know EVERYTHING. They either seem to be not-listening or shouting.

The problems seem so entrenched it will take a long time to improve (sorry to be pessimistic) but what one thing do you think could improve the situation?

I agree with Frances5050 – YANBU! If I had to choose one thing I’d say get more women elected. While it wouldn’t be a panacea to the problems of the political disconnect, I think a more representative Parliament would have more credibility with the public and reflect and respond to the concerns of our country better.

[GloriaDePieroMP]

@TeWiSavesTheDay

I'd like to know how each of you got your jobs, and what steps you'd recommend women who'd like to get more involved and maybe stand to be an MP themselves?

I don't know anyone who has had a job in politics personally.

Hiya TeWiSavesTheDay The truth was I couldn’t get a job in politics when I was in my early 20s. I applied to MPs, think tanks, Unions but no one would give me a job. I found it easier to get a job in the media – one of the most notoriously difficult careers to break into! In February 2010 the MP for Ashfield stood down and within days I’d packed a bin-liner and gone to Ashfield hoping that the Ashfield Party would select me as their candidate – and yes, you need an incredibly supportive partner! But I wouldn’t have stood for just any seat, I wanted to represent somewhere where the people are like me and I’m like them.

Politics is crying out for more women and more people from ordinary backgrounds and there is support. In the Labour Party we’ve got something called the ‘future candidates programme’ which gives training and mentoring to labour members from under-represented backgrounds who are interested in standing.

[NickyMorganMP]

@Frances5050

Question for Nicky Morgan, Jo Swinson and Gloria De Piero:

How can we get 178 more women MPs in the House of Commons?

(From a population of 32 million women, AIBU?)

This would make for a more balanced, representative 50:50 Parliament, instead of the current 77:23. This Apolitical Aspiration is shared by men and women. See photo of Ben Bradshaw MP.

Well first we need to find a lot more than 178 who want to stand because, however hard some of us work, there are some seats where a particular party is going to struggle to win. So, those of us who are here need to act as good role models and really tell people what it is like to be an MP and make it clear it is a job open to everyone. It would be great to get to 50:50 but for now I'd like to get to over 30% as that is when we start to see cultural change

[JoSwinsonMP]

@TeWiSavesTheDay

I'd like to know how each of you got your jobs, and what steps you'd recommend women who'd like to get more involved and maybe stand to be an MP themselves?

I don't know anyone who has had a job in politics personally.

I joined the Lib Dems at university. After I graduated, friends in the party persuaded me to stand for Parliament and I did so in 2001 as I thought it would be an interesting experience, though I was working in marketing for a radio station at the time and didn’t actually want to be an MP. During the campaign I realised I was much more passionate about campaigning for changes I wanted to see in our country than about getting more people to listen to Viking FM (fab radio station though it was and is!), and I decided to pursue politics more seriously. To cut a long story short I moved back home to East Dunbartonshire, won the contest to become the Lib Dem candidate and then worked incredibly hard to get elected in 2005.

If you’re interested in working as an elected politician, I’d recommend looking at the different parties and working out which most aligns with your views, then joining and getting stuck in with campaigning and community work – the processes for becoming approved as a candidate and then being chosen for a particular constituency vary in each party, but there are organisations in each party that can provide further advice on the best ways to do this.

There are other jobs in politics too, and alongside Hazel Blears MP and Eric Ollerenshaw MP I helped set up a scheme to provide paid placements for people from under-represented background to work in Parliament (more at: www.speakerscheme.co.uk/). You can also find lots of political jobs advertised at //www.w4mp.org

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Thanks Nicky. I guess it's quite worrying too when a large % of the population opt out of the principal part of the democratic process by not voting in elections? I'm sure more diversity of MP's at Westminster including more women would help with this at least somewhat.

[GloriaDePieroMP]

@Darkesteyes

Hello to all of you. (sorry I didn't put that in my last post)
Gloria I would like to address this to you as I read your interview in the April issue of Red magazine about how you felt the only way to get out of poverty at 15 was to pose for pictures.
There are many women both young and older who feel that the sex industry is the only route available out of poverty.
In 2000 I was on Labours New Deal After completing 3 months workfare which was a combination of a placement at a charity shop and one at the local council those "lovely people" at Pelcombe (the full ND was overseen by Reed) they wanted me to do yet ANOTHER 3 months workfare at a soup factory. I found an advert for a job in a sex chatline office and took it. Not everyone can cope with it and I did spend the first 3 days in a state of high anxiety but after that I settled into it and made some great friends in the other young women who were working there.
That was a long time ago but I have had discussions on threads with someone who has exited the industry and she says the uptake has surged since 2010.
This is one of the reasons why I CANNOT get on board with this idea of stricter benefits rules for those aged between 18 and 21.
It will also be harsher on young children who are exiting the care system.

Gloria I thought you came across well in the Red interview and the photographer who took advantage of your situation should have bloody well been prosecuted You were under age.

Unfortunately I think there are many more like him and worse out there who will be ready to take advantage (and are already taking advantage) of people being affected by these kinds of policies.

The chatline office job is still the highest paid job ive ever had. Which says it all really!

Hi Darkesteyes. We shouldn’t be living in a society where women feel like the main capital they have is their physical appearance. I take your point on low pay and that’s why we’ve said if we form the next Government we will make ending the scandal of low-pay a priority by increasing the minimum wage and giving businesses a tax break to pay the living wage.

[JustOneCube]

The stats in the MN miscarriage campaign were pretty shocking - as were lots of MNers' stories about the care they received - will you commit to a manifesto pledge to improve miscarriage care in next parliament please?

[JoSwinsonMP]

@badooby

Hello - thank you for coming on.

PMQs embarrasses me. Does it embarrass you?

I wish PMQs wasn’t the main way that the House of Commons is depicted in the media – it doesn’t make a good impression and in fact the first ever time I asked a question at PMQs it was to make the point that the Punch & Judy approach doesn’t work!

Thankfully Parliament isn’t always like that, and there are many debates that are thoughtful and conducted with much more respect on all sides. But PMQs is the weekly set piece event and while there are moments of genuine wit and sometimes very moving questions, too often it is the House of Commons at its worst, boorish, shouty and disrespectful to the public who deserve better.

[NickyMorganMP]

@badooby

Hello - thank you for coming on.

PMQs embarrasses me. Does it embarrass you?

When people make silly noises or heckle continuously it annoys me. The concept of PMQs is good - the PM spends half an hour a week being quizzed by elected representatives on many different subjects. Other Parliaments and overseas MPs are amazed when they hear about it. But I can see why it puts some people off - although, having said that, I have many constituents and friends who are desperate for tickets. I think it is good to have the debate though because MPs can just get used to things and not ask whether they actually work anymore

[StephanieDA]

'You can't be what you can't see' - we all recognise how crucial positive role models are for young women and yet our largest circulation daily newspaper portrays them as sexual objects every day on its most prominent page and the government doesn't take it seriously, and even ignores that bit in the Leveson Report.

I'd just like to know your thoughts on that from your position within Parliament.

[nameequality]

Jo/Gloria/Nicky - do you get much chance to get together as women in cross-party events?

I'm just thinking that if you all did it might be easier to push through things which would benefit all MPs and things which benefit all women - obviously things on which you can find a consensus!

Also do you think that the fact that there is such a low percentage of women MPs has contributed to FOR EXAMPLE the fact that mothers' names are STILL not recorded on marriage certificates in England & Wales??!!

[NickyMorganMP]

@JugglingFromHereToThere

Thanks Nicky. I guess it's quite worrying too when a large % of the population opt out of the principal part of the democratic process by not voting in elections? I'm sure more diversity of MP's at Westminster including more women would help with this at least somewhat.

Entirely agree - one of my most important tasks, I think, as the MP for Loughborough is visiting local schools and trying to enthuse pupils about voting and politics and parliament

[nameequality]

~benefit all WOMEN MPs that should say

[GloriaDePieroMP]

@AndHarry

I'd love to work towards standing as an MP but am totally put off by the crazy working hours. Do you think it would be a good idea to have more normal working hours and holidays?

Hi AndHarry.. I love it when I hear people say they’d love to stand for Parliament. In fact, I think the fact that 1/3rd of mumsnet members would consider it is really encouraging! Parliament sits about 30 odd weeks a yr. You can normally work it to stay away from home a max 3 nights in those weeks. I definitely try and spend as much time as possible in my constituency because I think it’s the biggest part of my job and it’s where I feel most fulfilled. On working hours - You only have to vote until 10pm on a Monday but even on 7pm votes you may miss bedtime if your family are based in London. But I accept even this is difficult for parents, and I do think there’s a case to say that in special circumstances where MPs have caring commitments whether they could vote by proxy.

But that still leaves the problem of having to leave your family for half the week more than half a year – the question is, if we were to invent parliament today, would it look like this? Probably not. So how should we change it? Here ‘s a call out to mumsnetters – if you have thoughts on how we can change the system email me on [email protected] with mumsnet in the subject heading and I promise to forward your ideas to the Speaker.

[JoSwinsonMP]

@southwest1

A question for Jo, you worked up to a couple of days before your son was born, does that not show that being an MP and a mother are not really compatible?

I don't think so - I could have stopped earlier if I'd wanted to, and indeed I decided near the end to play it by ear as everyone's pregnancy is different. I was feeling good so carried on, though with quite a few changes to the way I worked, such as holding meetings closer to where the House of Commons votes take place so I didn't have to be physically running around. And of course the plan was for me to have nearly a week to rest before giving birth, but then my son had other ideas and arrived early!

Colleagues were really understanding and supportive throughout my pregnancy, and I think the response from co-workers can make a big difference about how manageable pregnancy and indeed parenthood is while juggling work responsibilities.

[JoSwinsonMP]

@sleepychunky

MNHQ - loving the colour-coding!

me too!