Women in parliament: The push continues.

Rumbold remembered

Rumbold remembered

By politics.co.uk staff

Former education minister and prominent Thatcherite Dame Angela Rumbold was being celebrated by colleagues today, following her death at the age of 77.

Conservative party co-chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi celebrated her role in a similar position, notably her pioneering position as an outspoken woman in parliament.

“Angela was one of the leading politicians of her generation having served as government minister, deputy chairman of the party and member of parliament for 15 years,” she said.

“In that time Angela helped transform political life in this country by paving the way for many women of great talent to enter politics.”

The outspoken Thatcherite was a keen advocate of getting more female MPs into the Commons and she enjoyed the distinction of being the first woman to scrutinise prospective Tory candidates.