Under-Representation Can you think of any groups which have been traditionally overlooked politically?

Under-Representation This refers to the fact that there are fewer women and ethnic minority representatives in proportion to the percentage of the population they make up.

Women Why are there less women in Parliament than men?

Why are there fewer women than men in the Scottish and UK Parliaments?

The Numbers… How many MPs are there in total in the House of Commons? 650

How Many are Female? In October of 2011 there were…. 144 In case you haven’t worked it out that’s only 21%

Why?

FAMILY LONG HOURS STEREOTYPE GETTING PICKED ATMOSPHERE WHY SO FEW?

Women Why are there less women in Parliament than men? Political parties might not select female candidates Sexism – voters may not vote for female candidates Aggressive atmosphere in House of Commons puts people off Family reasons – working in London away from family, long hours etc…

In the Scottish Parliament Things are better for women… Working hours are 9-5 Easy to get to Edinburgh Uses proportional representation – women have better chance of being elected Women make up 34.1% of Scottish Parliament compared to 21% in London.

Currently, the Deputy First Minister is Nicola Sturgeon

Which other groups are Under – represented? Minorities Disabled Manual Workers

Ethnic Minorities Why are so few MPs from ethnic minority groups? Parties don’t select them to stand as candidates – in 2005 only 3% of candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds Racism – voters might not vote for a person because of their race Language barriers Few role models to look up to

Ethnic Minority Politicians 27 MPs are from ethnic minority backgrounds – 4.15% 2 MSPs are from ethnic minority backgrounds – 1.55% Hanzala Malik, Labour Humza Yousaf, SNP

Disabled Politicians Scotland’s first blind MSP elected in 2011, Dennis Robertson SNP. David Blunkett is a prominent Labour MP in the UK Parliament.