A great year for women in politics so far...
Lisa Turner, Women's Officer for Warrington South CLP, writes about her first few months in the role and the growing role women play in Warrington's Labour politics.
Since I was elected to the role of Women’s Officer for Warrington South CLP early this year, I’ve been proud to be part of a growing community of strong political women in Warrington.
March — Women’s History Month
I took the role shortly before March — the annual Women’s History Month.
Women’s History Month is celebrated every March to mark women’s contribution to society. The highlight is 8 March, International Women’s Day. The UN’s theme for this year's International Women’s Day was “Break the Bias”.
I had a really busy month meeting Labour women across the town, and seeing some of their inspirational work.
Cllr Amanda King organised a fantastic event at the Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball Peace Centre. The event was opened by the Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Maureen Creaghan and included an array of inspirational speakers and attendees. These included Nicola Palios, Vice-Chairman of Tranmere Rovers, Dr Lena Simic, Reader in Drama at Edge Hill University, Warrington Borough Councillors Cathy Mitchell and Sarah Hall, Alison Cullen, Chief Officer of Warrington Voluntary Action and Wigan Councillor Nazia Rehman.
The sun was shining and it was a great day. I was personally inspired to see the young people from Priestley College Feminist Society there — future change makers!
The theme of breaking the bias meant a lot to me. I have had to overcome many biases in my lifetime. I went to a selective school as a child on Free School Meals from a single parent family on the local council estate. I was a first generation university graduate, and I’m now a full time working Mum.
Even just by being an outspoken woman, you have to battle some serious bias!
Supporting Warrington’s BAME Women
Shireen Saeed is the first ever female BAME Member Officer for Warrington South. Shireen ran a fantastic IWD event on Thursday 10 March for her group, Warrington Ethnic Women’s Group. This was a celebration of traditional dress, dance and food and a fantastic community support event.
Shireen provides an important community service to the women of the group. I was honoured to take part in Shireen’s event, and read a poem celebrating the strength of women.
More than ever, we need to be inclusive and mindful of differences between cultures and communities. Shireen said:
“International Women’s Day is to me a celebration of the social, political and economic achievement of women, which also focuses global attention on areas requiring further action.”
“Take life by the scruff of the neck"!
I was privileged to spend some time recently with Trish Cockayne, a long-time Labour supporter and community activist. Trish tirelessly supports Warrington’s Food Bank, helping the towns’ residents who are struggling to make ends meet and put food on their tables. Trish said:
“I know that discrimination still goes on and I feel that an event like International Women’s Day is important to help women younger than me find the courage and motivation to stand up for themselves. To realise that, whatever her beginnings or family situation, she can take life by the scruff of the neck and achieve goals that she didn’t even realise she had.”
And I couldn’t agree more!
Fighting sexual harassment in politics
In late April, 1 in every 12 Members of Parliament were under investigation for misconduct or sexual harassment in Parliament. There have been several high-profile cases of sexual misconduct within the Conservative Party, with a number of them particularly horrible — let’s hope voters in Wakefield and Tiverton choose wisely in the upcoming by-elections, triggered by their Tory MPs’ resignations.
You can read more about the so-called “Wild West” attitude in Parliament condoned by Boris Johnson’s government here.
Putting women’s case forward
More recently, I’ve been busy supporting debate and conversation around policy development, via Labour Women's Network, the Annual Labour Women's Conference and via a Good Law Project webinar on Violence Against Women and Girls.
I have also recently signed up to the This Mum Votes campaign which looks to address good quality, affordable childcare, protected paternity pay and flexible jobs and reform to Universal Credit.
Warrington’s women continue to move into political office
It’s heartwarming to see that women are prepared put themselves forward for high office, whether that’s in Warrington or Westminster.
Janet Henshaw, Councillor for Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall, was recently made Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Climate Change. Warrington’s top team is now at near-equal gender parity, and I’m sure some great collaborative work will result.
Jean Flaherty, Councillor for Fairfield and Howley, is the new Mayor of Warrington. Congratulations to her!
Even more excitingly, two women appear to have made it onto the shortlist to become Labour’s candidate in Warrington South.
Whatever the outcome, this is surely a sign of a healthy political culture among the women of our town.
Charlotte Nichols MP — working hard for constituents!
Whoever Warrington South’s next Labour MP is, he or she will be joining a strong, established female MP in Warrington North. Charlotte continues to speak up in Parliament and locally on behalf of the people of Warrington North.
Charlotte provides an excellent role model for the young women of our town, and I look forward to collaborating with her and other strong local Labour women in future!
Here is her most recent appearance in Parliament at the time of writing.
Watch this space
Keep an eye out for new opportunities to get involved all over Warrington — whether that’s by volunteering, supporting the women closest to you, or campaigning for Labour locally.
I’m going to continue to try to bring together some of the brilliant women in the Labour movement across Warrington. I want to see what we can achieve together!
An interesting and informative read Lisa. I'll be checking out the This Mum Votes campaign for sure. Great to read about the support for the transport strikes too!
A great read, Lisa!