TO mark the 100th anniversary since Parliament gave women the right to vote local MP Rachel Maclean is encouraging women across Redditch to get involved in politics and stand for public office.
“I want to see more women in public life, and particularly in politics,” she said.
“That is why I was pleased that at the last Budget it was announced £5million would be available to help celebrate this milestone and to inspire more women to engage in democracy.”
The first woman to sit in the House of Commons was a Conservative, and the Conservatives were the first party in the West to elect a female Prime Minister – Margaret Thatcher.
The current Prime Minister, Theresa May, is a co-founder of Women2Win which aims to see more Conservative women elected to Parliament.
Mrs Maclean said the government was also working hard to give women greater financial security, ensure equal opportunities and put an end to violence against women and girls.
“A record number of women were elected to Parliament at the 2017 General Election – and of course Redditch has a proud history of women Members of Parliament – but there is still a lot more work to do,” said Mrs Maclean.
“That is why I will be celebrating this milestone and using it as a great opportunity to encourage more women to stand for public office.”
