The lack of female candidates in the local council election

[margerykemp]

genderpoliticsatedinburgh.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/more-of-the-same-women-and-the-scottish-local-government-elections-2012-5-2/

I'm torn over whether to put my 3rd preference to a female candidate from a party I don't support. I want more female representation but at what cost in policy?

Why aren't more women up as candidates? Do they not put themselves forward or do their parties hold them back?

I don't even know how the process of becoming a councillor works, what they get paid and exactly what they do day to day (I know they sit on local policy committees and hold surgeries but surely there's more?)

genderpoliticsatedinburgh.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/more-of-the-same-women-and-the-scottish-local-government-elections-2012-5-2/

Where I live there are 66 councillors. Only 19 are women, but of those, the Mayor and her second in command are both women. I would have thought that local politics would be of far more appeal to women who are the primary carers in their families, i.e. less travel to London. It still involves plenty of meetings though, and it isn't a 9 to 5 role.

It's a tricky one. After a quite bitter divorce, a friend chose to vote only for female candidates regardless of the party, but that was more of a personal protest than a political strategy on her part (and that was over 25 years ago!)

I think votes have to be cast based on the policies candidates are likely to pursue. There can be male candidates who will champion gender issues just as there will be white candidates who will tackle racist policies. There are certainly some women candidates I would not wish to see elected because they and/or their party promote sexist views and policies.

However, it is depressing that so few women do put themselves forward for elected office and I don't believe enough work has been done to identify, let alone address the barriers that keep them away.

From my understanding, local council processes can be extremely bureaucratic and time-consuming, which I think is also why we see retired people more highly represented in proportion to their ranks in the population.

I can respond to this in two words: Margaret Thatcher.

YY Tei MT did less than nothing for the average woman. The current Condems have presided over huge cuts to women's jobs, services and income. 70% of cuts are from women, female unemploymenthighest for 25 years, childcare tax credit cut, Women's Aid refuges turn away 230 women a day, public sector pensions cut & pay frozen. Implemented by teresa May, Louise Mensch, Lynne Featherstone etc.
Policies, not personalities, are what matter

Funny, I was thinking of making my first moves into becoming a local councillor.... I was even thinking of being independent.

skrumle. How do you get into it?

I am standing as a candidate this year. I am concerned about what might happen if i have another baby whilst serving my 4 yr term. I would be classed as 'unable to fulfill my duties' and so it would be down to the discretion of the party i represent whether i would continue to recieve my full allowance, i think. Can't find any reference to maternity provision. Childcare allowance only covers council meetings and doesnt take into account ward duties and casework.

in scotland as far as i'm aware childcare isn't covered at all, but you would continue to receive your full allowance as a councillor while on mat leave because it's not a "job" in the traditional sense. you might have a problem with your party if you are unable to attend crucial meetings where they need your vote but they shouldn't have any control over whether or not you get paid - the reality is that you can switch parties or become independent the day after you are elected...