Tag Archives: Life Peerages Act

60 years of women in the House of Lords

The Mother of Parliaments had seen many fine sons, not least those who sat on the Liberal benches, but the number of daughters was far too few for the health of the nation.

Elizabeth Shields, Liberal MP for Ryedale (1986-87)

Today is the 60th anniversary of the Life Peerages Bill, which enabled women to sit in the House of Lords. Since that time 250+ women have sat on the red benches in Parliament, this represents something like 18% of all life peer appointments since 1958. The House of Lords is currently 26% female, so things are (slowly) improving, but the House …

Posted in News and Parliament | Also tagged and | 4 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Hywel
    @Jana - hence the word 'blanket' As it stands a political party cannot discriminate against someone for a belief 'worthy of respect in a democratic society, ...
  • Jason Connor
    Well said Chris Nicholson. What an encouraging post and for recognising that party's blatant anti semitism....
  • Jana
    @Hywel “ It is inherently nonsensical for a blanket prohibition on discrimination on the grounds of belief to apply to political parties which are founded on...
  • Hywel
    " 65 seats on 8% is a possible outcome which would see us overrepresented significantly under fptp." That may be possible. The actual electoral arithmetic g...
  • Chris Nicholson
    Theakes, nowhere does that article say there was a coalition or a confidence and supply agreement so there is no agreement for us ‘to pull out of forthwith’...