Gender Balance Report to Spring Conference 2007

5.11.53pm GMT Fri 9th Mar 2007

Jo Swinson presents a report on the success of the Campaign for Gender Balance to the 2007 Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Harrogate.

*CURRENT SITUATION (at 15 Jan 07):

Approved list - 24% women (207 out of 861 approved candidates - England only)

Selected PPCs - 39% women (26 out of 67 seats - MP reselections not included)

39% is a healthy figure, up from 29% in Autumn 2006. Without a big increase in approved candidates the % will fall as we run out of women, hence the importance of objective 1.

--------

*OBJECTIVE 1: 150 extra approved women candidates by the next GE:

• 35 new women on approved list so far - good, but still 115 to go!

• 39% of newly approved candidates since GE are women

• 4,000 women Councillors and new members mailed with letter, leaflet and reply slips to encourage them to think about approval - 22 responses, including 6 requests for candidate approval forms

• Training day held in Scotland on 6 Jan with SWLD (25 attendees), more planned for English regions and Wales to encourage women to apply to be PPCs

• Recruitment sessions in Parliament planned for female Lib Dem researchers and for women students (with Lorely's office)

---------

*OBJECTIVE 2: 40% of our new MPs to be women after the next GE:

• Research shows only 29 approved women candidates in our 63 held seats; 44 held seats have no approved women candidates

• Letter sent to all MPs enlisting their help in identifying and encouraging women

• Mailing to Councillors being followed up by telephone in held seats

• In-depth training weekend for potential women MPs was held in February

• 20+ women supported in selections (campaign advice, telephoning, DTP support)

---------

*ADDITIONAL PROJECTS:

• Full training programme at conference in support of both above objectives

• Fundraising initiative set up via Pledgebank to raise an extra £5k+ per year

• While our goals focus on MPs, mentors and training are also highlighting the opportunities at the European level, and other levels where appropriate

• Always expanding our database of helpers, in particular assisting people with the approval process and doing artwork for selection manifestos

• Work alongside other organisations including: ALDC, WLD, Leader's Office, Chris Rennard, Candidates Office, Lorely Burt MP, Campaigns Dept, EMLD, Diversity Fund, LDYS & others.

• Website being developed to help women seeking approval and going for selection with a dedicated resource centre for registered users

• Improving communication with party through LDN, regional & SAO publications and letters to party officers, as well as through external media to project a positive image of the party tackling the gender balance issue

---------

Thanks go to former Chair Sandra Gidley and former Vice-Chair Candy Piercy who both stepped down at the end of 2006. Both remain very much involved however! And a warm welcome to new Vice-Chairs Rosalyn Harper and Baroness Jane Bonham-Carter, as well as Ellie Cumbo, who started with us as our campaign organiser at autumn conference.

Jo Swinson - Chair, Campaign for Gender Balance