For immediate release – 09 June 2017
Women’s representation in Parliament stalls at 32%
207 women MPs returned to Parliament, 11 more than before the election
Labour have 31 more women MPs and Conservatives lose three
The June 2017 general election has seen women’s representation in Parliament
break the 200 barrier for the first time, with 207 women winning seats. However,
this represents only a 2 percentage point increase. If the UK only improves by this
much at each election, we will not see equal representation in Parliament until 2062.
The Labour Party managed to slightly increase its proportion of women MPs to 45%
from 44% before the election, as it increased its overall seat numbers. The
Conservative Party saw no increase, with women’s representation stuck at 21%,
while the Liberal Democrats now have four women MPs, a third of their
parliamentary party.
38 of the women MPs returned to Parliament are new to their seats in 2017,
comprising 17% of all women MPs. 8 of these new women MPs are Conservative, 24
are Labour, 4 are Liberal Democrat, with one each for Sinn Fein and the DUP.
Analysis for the Fawcett Society based on the Electoral Calculus model in early May
had suggested that women’s representation could have increased by even less, but
Labour gains have led to an overall slight increase.
Commenting, Sam Smethers, Fawcett Chief Executive, said
“The outcome of this election was a surprise to many pollsters, but it has seen more
Labour women MPs elected. The Conservative Party has not seen a significant
reduction in women MPs despite losing seats.
“But the real story is that progress has stalled. Getting more women in cannot be
subject to party political fortunes. As we approach the centenary of women first
getting to vote in general elections, we cannot wait for another 9 elections to
achieve equality.
“We agree with the recommendation of the cross-party Women and Equalities
Select Committee that 45% of each party’s candidates must be women. The time has
come for a legally enforceable target to achieve the radical and sustainable change
we need.”
- Ends For more information, infographics or interviews contact Fresh communication:
Abby Richardson – [email protected] / 07876 378 733
Nathalie Golden – [email protected] / 07769 66 66 2
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For immediate release – 09 June 2017
Editors Notes:
Data is compiled from BBC constituency by constituency reports.
Data on previous elections’ proportions of women MPs , and international comparisons, is
available at http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN01250/SN01250.pdf
Table: Women in Parliament before and after the June 2017 election
Party
Conservative
Labour
Scottish National Party
Liberal Democrat
DUP
Sinn Fein
Plaid Cymru
Green
Independent/Alliance
UUP
UKIP
SDLP
Grand Total
Women
Seats pre- %
pre-election election
70
331
101
230
18
54
1
9
0
8
1
4
1
3
1
1
2
4
0
2
0
1
1
3
196
650
Wome MPs 2017 %
n 2017
21%
67
318
44%
118
261
33%
12
35
11%
4
12
0%
1
10
25%
2
7
33%
1
4
100%
1
1
50%
1
1
0%
0
0
0%
0
0
33%
0
0
30%
207
649
21%
45%
34%
33%
10%
29%
25%
100%
100%
0%
0%
0%
32%
Fawcett’s manifesto at the election called for:






Women to be represented at every level and stage of Brexit negotiations.
An increase in the national living wage to bring it up to the level of the real
living wage.
An extended, dedicated, well paid period of leave for fathers
A requirement for large companies who have to report their gender pay gaps
to have an action plan in place, and penalties for those who do not comply.
A long-term, national, and sustainable funding strategy for specialist womenonly services including domestic violence refuges, in order to meet our
Istanbul Convention obligations.
A National Care Service, giving social care parity with the NHS, and investing
in social care infrastructure with a professionalised care workforce.
The Manifesto also addresses equal representation; defending women's rights postBrexit; ending violence against women and girls, and ensuring women are not
hardest hit by any economic downturn or spending cuts. Read it in full here:
https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Fawcett-GeneralElection-Manifesto.pdf
About Us
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For immediate release – 09 June 2017
The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading charity campaigning for gender equality and
women’s rights at work, at home and in public life. Our vision is a society in which
the choices you can make and the control you have over your life are no longer
determined by your gender.
www.fawcettsociety.org.uk
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