As female members of the Independent Group, we want a new politics that empowers women

We have left the intimidatory culture of our former parties behind, agreeing on common values which inform everything we do, and seeking to reduce inequality by extending opportunity

Aiming for a better style of political debate (PA)

It’s a breath of fresh air to sit in a meeting with colleagues and to not be in the minority. In our communities and families, women are not a minority group. Yet in politics, boardrooms, the entertainment industry and positions of power across the country, our being outnumbered (although never outmatched!) is too often a reality.

We are all fortunate to be members of parliament. Yes, we’ve worked hard to get here; but if it wasn’t for the support and encouragement of some key women (and men) in our lives we wouldn’t have even considered putting ourselves forward to be MPs, let alone actually taken our place in parliament.

Ours is often described as the “mother of parliaments”, responsible for exporting our model around the modern world; but too many of its traditions were built for a different time, and are steeped in a culture that belongs to another century.

This can make national politics feel impenetrable.

Late night sittings; the impossibility, until just a few weeks ago, of absentee ballots for members to vote remotely if they are sick or having babies; and, frankly, the behaviour of many of Westminster’s more eccentric inhabitants can make getting involved in politics incredibly off-putting – particularly to mothers.

We were all lucky to have people who encouraged and supported us in navigating the processes, first of getting involved in politics on a local level and of getting selected as a candidate; then of getting elected; and then of working out parliament’s arcane ways, so that we could be the best possible representatives for those who we are privileged to serve.

For Joan, it was her sister Maureen. She was fiercely protective, and always told Joan that she could be anything she wanted to be, always displaying total belief in Joan and her abilities.

Sarah wanted to thank Alexis Bowater, who has been so courageous in speaking out about her own experience of stalking and who helped Sarah to shape the Stalking Protection Bill. This week her Private Member’s Bill passed its final stage in the House of Lords.

For Ann, it was her father who believed in education for women, encouraging her and guiding her to be her best. It is why Ann fights for better educational opportunities for everyone.

The Independent Group is unusual in parliament in that it has a majority of women MPs. It shouldn’t be unusual in 2019 – but, sadly, it is. If we are going to make parliament look more like the Independent Group, then it starts by parliament taking on some of the Independent Group’s culture.

We have left the culture of our former parties – the intimidation, the intolerance of dissent – behind, and we have agreed common values which guide and inform everything we do. We have said that we believe that inequalities reduced through the extension of opportunity enable people to open new doors and fulfil their ambitions.

We have to help women believe early on that politics can be for them if they want to pursue it; we have to make their first experiences when they get involved positive and supportive; and we have to change the way parliament works so that it is more accessible to women.

Outdated rules and procedures must be changed to make the Commons more flexible – and whenever we are faced with sexism or discrimination, we must call it out for what it is.

We want to raise the level of debate in parliament. MPs need to treat each other with respect, regardless of party affiliation. We need to dismantle this mindset which has taken hold, where people think of others as enemies because they do not agree. We need to stop allowing dissenting voices to be shouted down and embrace real, honest debate.

On this International Women’s Day, we need to rededicate ourselves to the task of changing our politics – because it’s the only way that we will make our politicians look more like the country we love and serve.

Dr Sarah Wollaston is MP for Totnes, Ann Coffey is MP for Stockport and Joan Ryan is MP for Enfield North. They are members of the Independent Group in parliament.