Among the seismic changes that the 2024 election brought, one of the most welcome to those of us working to make politics more representative, was news that the most diverse Westminster parliament in history had been elected. Women now make up 40% of UK MPs – a record high and an increase of 6% on 2019. Ethnic minority representation has also improved, rising from 10% to almost 14%, with a strong showing by black and minority ethnic women who again outnumber men elected from their communities.
Given Westminster’s historically dismal record on diversity and “Old Boys Club” reputation these results are significant. Snap elections are notorious for shutting out candidates that are not the default white man. However, decades of work by equality advocates in political parties and civil society seems to have staved off risks this time around.
Nevertheless, the numbers still fall short of the 51% of the population that women represent. This is unsurprising given the rising wave of abuse faced by women in politics, and the stubbornly macho, outdated cultures that still exist in many of our institutions. Without increased efforts to address these challenges, there is a risk that this election could prove to be something of a fluke.
Scotland’s performance in this election has trailed other parts of the UK and with Holyrood and local authority elections on the horizon for 2026 and 2027, there is a need for soul searching and action from political parties. Only 35% of MPs returned from Scotland on July 4 were women, compared with 41% in England and an impressive 47% in Wales. Only the Scottish Liberal Democrats achieved gender balance, returning three women out of six MPs in Scotland. Scottish Labour secured 41% representation of women. Whilst the Scottish Conservatives returned one woman, from five MPs (20%), the SNP now has only one woman in its group of nine: a rate of 11%.
Despite different political contexts and starting points (women make up 45% of MSPs and 35% of councillors in Scotland) the overall General Election results do offer an insight into what can be achieved. In this window of opportunity between elections, parties in Scotland need to push further, by using selection processes that promote gender balance, and by providing more robust campaign support for women candidates. Given that we know with relative certainty when these elections will be, parties have little excuse not to act now.
We also need to see concerted action to tackle harassment and abuse of politicians, both on and offline. Women - particularly Black and minority ethnic women - are dealing with this at an unprecedented level. Women stepping down are increasingly citing this as a deciding factor. Without retention of women across multiple terms, lasting progress will be difficult to sustain.
Almost 100 years on from equal franchise, so much in our politics still does not work for women. Elected representatives still don’t have guaranteed access to maternity leave. Fluctuating work patterns and hours put huge pressure on anyone with caring responsibilities, the majority of whom are women. Grassroots campaigning remains inaccessible for many, and biased and prejudiced attitudes still too often undermine the successes of women and people from minoritised communities. Despite some positive progress at this election, there’s no time for complacency.
Jessie Duncan is Development Officer (Equal Representation) with Engender
Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@theherald.co.uk
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