Letter: Labour's attempt to close the gender gap
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: As the dust settles on the shadow cabinet elections, it is important to remember the purpose of a rule change which to the rest of the world is little more than a storm in a tea room.
The 1992 election showed clearly that there is a significant gender gap. Women are less inclined than men to vote Labour - it is as simple as that. If Labour is to close this gap, we must address the real concerns and aspirations of women at work and women at home. The rule change requiring Labour MPs to vote for four women (instead of three as they have for the last four years) is but one of several practical mechanisms that the Labour Party has introduced to increase the representation of women at all levels. In doing this we are following the successful example of our sister parties in Canada and Scandinavia.
It is being reported that some of our male colleagues strongly oppose the new requirement to cast four of their 18 votes for women. They previously had to cast only three. The rule change was passed by an overwhelming maority of the men and women of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
The small number of male MPs who remain hostile to an increase in the representation of women should have a look at the world outside the Westminster bars.
Yours sincerely,
TESSA JOWELL
MP for Dulwich (Lab)
House of Commons
London, SW1
22 October
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments