Women are missing link in politics

Women are vastly underrepresented in positions of power and influence in politics, leading to a democratic deficit that undermines the legitimacy of decisions made in parliament, the devolved assemblies and local government, according to a new campaign.

A child born in the UK today will be drawing her pension before she has an equal voice in government, campaigners say.

Counting women in is supported by a wide range of organisations, including the women’s campaign group the Fawcett Society and voting reformers Unlock Democracy. The campaign says decisions of national importance are being made with the perspectives of one half of the country seemingly being ignored.

Following the 2010 general election, just one in five MPs (22%) are women — only a 4% rise since the 1997 election. There are currently more millionaires than women in David Cameron’s coalition Cabinet — just five are women. And of the 119 most senior members of the government, just 20 — or 17% — are women.

The campaign has called on Cameron to make good his commitment for one-third of his ministers to be women by the end of his first term in parliament.

Adding a global perspective, Nan Sloane, director of the Centre for Women and Democracy, said: “The UK lags behind more than 40 other countries for women’s representation in politics.”

Rwanda, Iraq and Mexico all score better than the UK, for example, she says.

The campaign is at: www.countingwomenin.org/