Look around your community, is there a woman showing leadership skills who you think would make an amazing elected official? Ask Her To Stand.
50:50 Parliamentโs Ask Her to Stand Campaign is a UK-wide cross-party initiative to ensure a pipeline of talented, and diverse, women ready to stand for the Parliament and local councils. When you Ask Her to Stand โ direct her to 50:50 Parliamentโs website where she can click Sign Up To Stand and the 50:50 team will be on the other side to take her hand and help support her journey into the political arena. NOW is the time โ we need more women at all levels of politics and your journey starts here.
Earlier this week, Chamber UK were pleased to support 50:50 Parliament’s event Ask Her To Stand Day Celebration in parliament. The event welcomed a fantastic range of cross-party speakers including:
- Member of Parliament for Neath and Swansea East Swansea East, Carolyn Harris MP
- Member of Parliament for Rutland and Stamford, Alicia Kearns MP
- Co-chair of Conservative Party, Nigel Huddleston MP
- Member of Parliament for Earley and Woodley, Yuan Yung MP
- Member of Parliament for Aberdeen North, Kirsty Blackman MP
- British Social Entrepreneur, broadcaster and campaigner, Natalie Campbell
- Activist, Sharon Gaffka
Why Representation Matters
Nigel Huddleston MP, Co-chair of the Conservative Party, opened with a call to action: โEncouraging women to stand is only the first step. The selection process can be a huge barrier. We must make it transparent and supportive, ensuring that the incredible women we meet every day feel empowered to take the plunge.โ He acknowledged that while progress has been made, the path to parity is still fraught with challenges.
Huddleston also addressed the value of male allyship: โThank you to the men in the room. Standing together makes politics better.โ His remarks underscored that diversity benefits everyone: โGender balance leads to better decision-making and fairer outcomes. Itโs not just nice to haveโitโs essential.โ
Breaking Barriers, Building Strength
Carolyn Harris MP reflected on the resilience required in politics, especially for women facing social media abuse. โIf anything were to put me off politics, it would be social media. Itโs never about my politics but about my appearance,โ she shared. Despite the challenges, Harris urged women to persevere: โIf you want to stand for office, we are here to help you achieve that. Thereโs nobody in this room who canโt do what we doโyou just need commitment, strength, and determination.โ
Harris highlighted the unique solidarity among female MPs: โRegardless of political differences, we support each other. Together, we make sure every woman who wants to be an elected politician becomes one.โ
Encouragement: The Gift That Changes Lives
Yuan Yung MP shared her journey into politics, sparked by the encouragement of a friend. โI hadnโt considered standing for office until he suggested it,โ she said. โA small nudge completely changed the course of my life.โ Yungโs story is a testament to the campaignโs message: Ask her to stand.
Reflecting on her personal journey as an eldest immigrant daughter, Yung emphasised the importance of lived experience in shaping public service. โFrom navigating systems for my parents to helping constituents today, those challenges have become my strength. I want women from all walks of life to see that they too belong in politics.โ
The Road to 50:50
Lyanne Nicholl, CEO of 50:50 Parliament, grounded the discussion with a powerful reality check. โWe need 62 more women in Parliament to reach 50:50. This isnโt just about womenโs rights; itโs about creating safer, healthier nations. Equality isnโt a luxuryโitโs essential.โ Nicholl urged attendees to amplify the campaignโs message and play their part in achieving equal representation.
Final Thought
The Ask Her to Stand campaign is more than a call to actionโitโs a lifeline for women who aspire to lead but might not yet see themselves as capable. With each woman encouraged to step forward, the UK takes another step toward a fairer, more inclusive political landscape.
As Yuan Yung succinctly put it, โEncouragement today might be the gift that changes her life tomorrow.โ So, look around your community, find a woman with the potential to lead, and ask her to stand. Together, we can transform politics.
For more of Chamber UK’s analysis on gender representation in politics, please click here.