Very shortly, towards the end of April, a statue to Millicent Fawcett will be unveiled in Westminster. She was a tireless campaigner for women’s suffrage and equal treatment.

Women still lag behind men both in selection processes and in electoral opportunity. Too few women are selected; too few women are elected. Fawcett would understand how far we still have to go and how much is still to be done.

Local elections can be a good place to make change happen. The opportunity is there for us and in Cheltenham, for example, Liberal Democrats are taking the need for more women candidates, and for more women candidates to be elected, very seriously.

District elections are being held for some 20 wards and things are a little different this year. Almost 50% of Cheltenham’s candidates are women. Six have never been elected before, though that will change as it is anticipated many of those selected, will be elected.

It is great to see young, enthusiastic candidates – both men and women – working together and observe the growing confidence that brings. It is inspiring to see.

Liberal Democrat Women wants to see many more women from across the country elected this year and is organising Action Days to help make that happen. They are an opportunity not just to get women elected, but to learn how our campaign teams work and pick up skills from them. Action Days are a two-way process.

Sutton 14^th April; Cheltenham 21st April;  Chiswick 28^th April; London, date to be confirmed, are the first to be set up. If you want to help please contact:

Flo Clucas for Cheltenham:      [email protected]
Helen Cross for Chiswick:           [email protected]
Isabelle Parasaram for London:   [email protected]
Ruth Dombey for Sutton:             [email protected]

Or the local Lib Dem Office. We may also be able to help with travel costs for those on no, or restricted, income.

If you have a high proportion of women standing in winnable seats and would like to organise an Action Day, just let us know. Contact Kevin: People – Lib Dem Women <[email protected]>

We can make a difference. We really can and its time we did.

* Flo Clucas OBE is the President of the ALDE Gender Equality Network and former President of the ALDE Group on the EU Committee of the Regions. She was a councillor in Liverpool City Council for 26 years.