 starter activity In 1997 a record number of women MPs were elected to the HoC. They were nicknamed ‘Blair’s Babes’ by the Press. This still amounts to barely 20% of the total number of seats. Do you think more should be done to encourage women candidates?

How representative are MPs? To define what we mean by ‘representative’ To analyse how ‘representative’ our parliament is To examine how socially representative our MPs really are  Aims

 Your task Read Watts, p.196 and list any evidence to suggest MPs are not as representative as might first seem Read Watts, p.196 and list any evidence to suggest MPs are not as representative as might first seem

How representative are our MPs? Current govt. enjoys support of less than ½ voters Current govt. enjoys support of less than ½ voters Questions over legitimacy Questions over legitimacy Minority views underrepresented Minority views underrepresented 2/3 MPs lack majority support in their constituencies (2010) 2/3 MPs lack majority support in their constituencies (2010)

 Your task Read Watts, p.196 and note the 3 main ways in which MPs can be ‘representatives’ Read Watts, p.196 and note the 3 main ways in which MPs can be ‘representatives’

The closely represent the views of the people who elected them - their constituents The closely represent the views of the people who elected them - their constituents They represent the views of constituents as they understand them They represent the views of constituents as they understand them They are socially representative They are socially representative Which of these 3 interpretations matches the way your local MP represents his constituents? Are you happy about this?

 Your task Study the information in Watts on p.197 and find out how fairly represented women are in the following countries or assemblies: Study the information in Watts on p.197 and find out how fairly represented women are in the following countries or assemblies: Welsh Assembly Welsh Assembly Sweden Sweden European Parliament European Parliament House of Commons House of Commons France & Italy France & Italy European Parliament in Brussels

Representation of women Welsh Assembly Welsh Assembly 50:50 (2003) 50:50 (2003) Sweden Sweden 1 in 3 or more 1 in 3 or more European Parliament European Parliament Nearly 33% Nearly 33% House of Commons House of Commons 20% 20% France & Italy France & Italy 10% 10% Are MPs like Ann Widdicombe (Cons) a good advert for women MPs?

Facts and Figures There are currently 505 male MPs There are currently 505 male MPs There are currently 144 female MPs There are currently 144 female MPs Countess Constance Markievicz was the first woman elected to the House of Commons, in However she did not take her seat, in protest against Britain’s policy in Ireland. The first woman to be elected and take her seat was Viscountess Nancy Astor in 1919 Countess Constance Markievicz was the first woman elected to the House of Commons, in However she did not take her seat, in protest against Britain’s policy in Ireland. The first woman to be elected and take her seat was Viscountess Nancy Astor in 1919 The youngest MP is Pamela Nash, Labour MP for Airdrie and Shotts, aged 25 The youngest MP is Pamela Nash, Labour MP for Airdrie and Shotts, aged 25 Following the general election of 2010, the average age of an MP was 50. Following the general election of 2010, the average age of an MP was gpapers/commons/lib/research/r p2010/RP pdf gpapers/commons/lib/research/r p2010/RP pdf £65,738 as of 1 April 2010 The Prime Minister has announced that he will be taking a salary of £142,500 There were 27 MPs elected at the 2010 general election from an ethnic minority The Speaker is paid at exactly the rate of a cabinet minister, namely £134,565 (including MP's salary of £65,738). Opposition parties get extra money to help them carry out their parliamentary business. This is known as 'Short Money' The Father of the House (the MP with the longest unbroken service) is Sir Peter Tapsell

Conservative305 Conservative305 Labour254 Labour254 Liberal Democrat57 Liberal Democrat57 Democratic Unionist8 Democratic Unionist8 Scottish National6 Scottish National6 Sinn Fein4 Sinn Fein4 Plaid Cymru3 Plaid Cymru3 Social Democratic & Labour3 Social Democratic & Labour3 Alliance1 Alliance1 Green1 Green1 Independent3 Independent3 Speaker & 3 Deputies* Speaker & 3 Deputies* 4Vacant (Belfast West)1 4Vacant (Belfast West)1 Total number of seats 650 Total number of seats 650 Current working Government Majority 83 Current working Government Majority Harrington_(politician)

 Your task Using evidence from Watts, p.198 note down evidence about the social background of MPs. Include the following: Using evidence from Watts, p.198 note down evidence about the social background of MPs. Include the following: Ethnic backgrounds Ethnic backgrounds Professions Professions Education Education Age Age Gender Gender

Ethnic backgrounds 27 MPs from ethnic background in 2010 GE 27 MPs from ethnic background in 2010 GE Oona King lost her seat to George Galloway in 2001 GE. Do you think it is important for parties to select more candidates from ethnic minorities?

Professions 2010 GE over 100 MPs from educational backgrounds Other professions over- represented, e.g political staffers, lawyers, media & city Anthony King, ‘professional politicians’

Education 2001 GE, 449 MPs attended university 2001 GE, 449 MPs attended university 31% attended public school (50%+ in Cons Party) 31% attended public school (50%+ in Cons Party) Can you spot Mr Higgins?

(1) Sebastian Grigg, (2) David Cameron, (3) Ralph Perry-Robinson, (4) Ewen Fergusson, (5) Matthew Benson, (6) Sebastian James, (7) Jonathan Ford, (8) Boris Johnson, (9) Harry Eastwood

Age Middle-aged Middle-aged Average age 50.6 Average age MPs under 30 3 MPs under 30 Average age of Cons. is younger than Lab (48 opposed to 53) Average age of Cons. is younger than Lab (48 opposed to 53)

Gender 1997, 120 women MPs, nick-named ‘Blair’s Babes’ 1997, 120 women MPs, nick-named ‘Blair’s Babes’ 2005, 128 MPs 2005, 128 MPs Majority female MPs Lab (98 in Lab, 17 in Cons) Majority female MPs Lab (98 in Lab, 17 in Cons) Other assemblies better represented, e.g. Welsh Assembly 50:50 Other assemblies better represented, e.g. Welsh Assembly 50:50

 Your task Read Watts, p.199 and list the reasons why women are under-represented in Parliament Read Watts, p.199 and list the reasons why women are under-represented in Parliament

Under-representation of women Child-bearing & home-making responsibilities Child-bearing & home-making responsibilities Electoral system (candidate selection) Electoral system (candidate selection) Nature of parliamentary life Nature of parliamentary life Fawcett society identifies four ‘Cs’: culture, childcare, cash, confidence Fawcett society identifies four ‘Cs’: culture, childcare, cash, confidence Sex Discrimination Act (1975) amended to allow all-women shortlists Sex Discrimination Act (1975) amended to allow all-women shortlists

Plenary Plenary Does it matter that MPs are not socially representative? Use the evidence in Watts, p Does it matter that MPs are not socially representative? Use the evidence in Watts, p