Last month, Chamber UK and 50:50 Parliament hosted a ‘Get Britain Growing’ event, welcoming newly elected MPs and highlighting the critical issue of gender representation in politics. With the most gender-balanced parliament in British history and the UK’s first female chancellor, attendees explored new opportunities for inclusive economic growth.
This event was kindly supported by Lloyds Banking Group, a leading financial services organisation, to support the essential discussion on gender representation, reflecting their commitment to fostering inclusivity, such as their impactful work on the gender pension gap, and driving economic growth in the UK.
This article details the speech made by Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho. She explores themes of gender representation, the challenges faced by women in politics, the importance of diverse perspectives in leadership, and her advocacy for policies that support inclusive economic growth and greater female participation in decision-making roles.
Breaking Barriers: Claire Coutinho’s Journey
Claire Coutinho, elected in 2019, has become a notable advocate for gender representation in British politics. During the event, Coutinho shared her experiences of often being the only woman in the room throughout her career. “I studied maths and worked on a trading floor before entering politics. In many of these environments, I was often the only woman present,” she recounted. Her tenure as Secretary of State for Energy further underscored this gender imbalance, with high-level meetings frequently lacking female representation.
The Importance of Diverse Perspectives
Coutinho stressed that the significance of gender representation goes beyond simply increasing numbers. “When you only have men at the table, what happens is you get a closed culture,” she noted.
This exclusionary environment often means that opportunities are predominantly extended to men. Coutinho argued that a diverse range of perspectives is essential for addressing the complex challenges facing the country, from global economics to technological advancements.
Advocacy and Mentorship
Having started her involvement with 50:50 Parliament in 2017, Coutinho has been actively mentoring and encouraging women to stand for election. “I care so much about this. I’ve even found a couple of Labour people to stand as well. Don’t tell my chief whip,” she joked, highlighting the bipartisan nature of this crucial issue.
Her dedication to advocacy was further demonstrated during her time as Children’s Minister, where she successfully doubled the childcare budget, addressing a significant concern for many families.
Challenges and Opportunities
Coutinho acknowledged that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done. “There are so many areas where there’s more to do, whether it’s in the education system or the employment system,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of having women in parliament to raise and address these issues, drawing on their personal experiences and insights.
Final Thought
The ‘Get Britain Growing’ event underscored the ongoing need for greater gender representation in politics. Claire Coutinho’s insights and experiences highlighted the barriers women face and the importance of inclusive leadership in tackling national and global challenges.
As the UK strives for more balanced representation, the efforts of senior female politicians like Coutinho are instrumental in driving progress.
To watch Coutinho’s speech, subscribe to Chamber’s YouTube Channel, and click below.