The Conservatives may have a female leader, but the party still needs more women

For many female candidates, Conservatives in particular but not exclusively, the personal abuse they receive both in person and via social media is vicious. There is a new misogyny in the air

The organisation I founded with Theresa May, Women2Win, had its annual conference reception last night (Getty)

Before the IRA bomb at the Brighton Conference in 1984 (at which incidentally I met my husband Bernard), security at any of the Party Conferences was minimal. Who would have imagined that 33 years later we would be greeted in Manchester by a sign saying “Hang the Tories” and effigies of bodies hanging from a bridge, and that there would have to be a massive police presence to protect attendees from protesters howling and spitting. A kinder, gentler politics? I don’t think so.

Why does it matter? Of course those protesting have a right to do so, but the way they try to achieve their aims is a deterrent to many people considering participating in the democratic process.

For many women candidates, Conservatives in particular but not exclusively, the personal abuse they receive both in person and via social media is vicious. There is a new misogyny in the air.

The narrative has arisen, driven by the new left, that it is impossible to be a Compassionate Conservative. This couldn’t be further from the truth. For many new candidates social justice is the driving factor in coming forward and getting involved. But Conservative voices that care passionately about these issues are drowned out and shouted down – it is frustrating.

However at conference, women dominate many of the fringe meetings on social issues and sustainability and are able to debate new ideas and new ways of doing things in a civilised way, without having abuse shouted at them by people with fingers in their ears.

The Labour-cooperative politician Val Shawcross was welcomed at a fringe meeting this morning in a way that would have been impossible for a Conservative to have spoken in Brighton last week.

Attracting women to get involved with any political party has traditionally been harder than men, and it certainly is in the Conservative Party. Despite a record number of women standing as Conservative candidates in June (29 per cent), we struggle to achieve parity.

The organisation I founded with Theresa May, Women2Win, had its annual conference reception on Sunday night. It was attended by a large number of women MPs, including the Home Secretary – as well as the Party Chairman and the Chief Whip. We were addressed by the Prime Minister who, as always, encouraged, supported and motivated those at the reception, many of whom had stood as candidates in June.

Encouragingly there were a large number who are just starting their political journeys and for whom this is their first Party Conference. There is no doubt that Theresa May is an inspiration to many girls today, (a recent survey for the Girl Guides demonstrated this) – in fact just seeing so many female faces regularly in the news is a very positive image to the next generation.

Without noticing it, or making a fuss, look where we now are in terms of female leaders. Internationally, Angela Merkel bestrides Europe. Closer to home there is Leanne Wood in Wales, Nicola Sturgeon and Ruth Davidson in Scotland, Arlene Foster in Northern Ireland as well as our second woman Prime Minister. But many women considering going into politics do need extra support and encouragement. The #AskHerToStand campaign has been helpful. But it isn’t enough. The pipeline remains weak and there is still space for more of us.

Anne Jenkin, Baroness of Kennington, is a Conservative member of the House of Lords