While we’ve come a long way since my great-grandmother Emmeline Pankhurst fought for the right for women in the UK to vote, I’m certain she and her comrades would be deeply frustrated by the slow pace of progress on gender equality – and certainly that within our own political system. They would unequivocally hold the political establishment to account for failing to deliver the change we so urgently need.
Today, Centenary Action is launching in parliament new research, conducted with the University of Antwerp, to highlight just how significant the challenge within Westminster is.
2028 will mark 100 years since the Equal Franchise Act, which gave women the right to vote on equal terms with men. All major parties have committed to gender-equal representation in parliament by this date. And yet to meet this fast-approaching target, we need to see a historic leap in women’s representation – a larger proportional increase than ever before.
The data paints a stark picture. We will need to see a 10% increase in women MPs at the next General Election, meaning 62 more women must be voted in. This historic shift would surpass the 9% rise of 1997 – a moment often hailed as a watershed for women in parliament. By comparison, the 2024 election delivered a more modest 6.7% increase, representing 43 more women.
It’s definitely progress, and women now make up 40% of MPs – more than ever before. But the UK currently ranks just 24th in international standings for women’s representation in national parliaments, and representation remains inconsistent across political parties. Almost half (46%) of Labour MPs are women, while women represent less than a quarter (24%) of Conservative MPs. The Greens may have just four MPs, but three of them are women, while every single one of Reform’s five MPs is a man. Achieving equal representation will require transformative changes in candidate selection and parliamentary practices across all parties.
A gender-equal parliament by 2028 is not just an aspirational goal – it’s a critical step toward a fairer, more inclusive political system that delivers better governance. Research shows that when women exercise political power, the whole of society reap the benefits. Women in politics are generally more likely to base their arguments on lived experiences, focus on issues and policies, and adopt a more collaborative approach. When power is more equally shared, democracy and society as a whole are strengthened.
Centenary Action has outlined a roadmap to tackle the systemic obstacles women face in entering and thriving in politics. These proposals target institutional, cultural, and logistical challenges, and include enacting Section 106 of the Equality Act which would require parties to publish data on candidates’ protected characteristics to expose diversity gaps, pushing parties to improve their candidate selection processes. We also want to see tailored strategies to recruit and elect more women, and updated HR practices in parliament which mean all MPs can thrive in their roles. We want the new Modernisation Committee to take forward reforms to make parliament work better for women. It’s critical, also, that abuse and intimidation – which disproportionately affect women in politics – are tackled head on, making politics safer and more inclusive for everyone.
Achieving a gender-equal parliament is no small feat, but it is possible. The tools and strategies exist; now it’s about action. Together, we can break down barriers, foster inclusivity, and make history at the next election.
Let’s honour the legacy of those who fought for women’s rights and ensure that equality becomes our reality. If not now, when?
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