To join the event, please email info@women2win
Dear Supporter,
When Theresa May and I launched Women2Win 15 years ago in November 2005, there were 17 Conservative women MPs. This equated to just 9% of the Parliamentary Party, or to put it another way, 91% of Conservative MPs were men.
Today there are 87 Conservative women MPs, making up almost 25% of our MPs. This is still only one in four, but a massive improvement from when we began our work. With the pressure we have put on them over the past 15 years, the Party centrally, is more committed than ever to finding more of the right, talented women and to supporting them on their journey into public life.
However, as well as the increase in numbers, the brutality of public life (especially for women on the front line) has increased exponentially. We are now increasingly supporting those who are already elected, to ensure retention, as their careers progress.
Going into politics is not an easy career choice, and many, many candidates and women MPs attest to the fact that they would not be there without the encouragement of Women2Win. We also would not be there without our supporters, and most especially our financial supporters. During the five general elections since we launched, we have been able to financially support the campaigns of every single woman candidate - again, something which sends a powerful message to those who select candidates as well as the women themselves, knowing someone cares about them.
To commemorate our 15 year anniversary and to look back with pride on our and their achievements, we have invited Lord (Stephen) Parkinson, the Director of the Conservative History Group and government whip in the House of Lords, to talk about the history of women in the Conservative Party. We will be joined on the platform by Theresa May, whose Political Secretary was Stephen during her time as PM. As my grandmother was the 33rd ever woman MP, and I look forward with pride to hearing what Stephen has to say. The live audience will consist of women MPs and Peers, who will be asking questions on behalf of those who will be watching the event remotely.
We are delighted that the ABI (Association of British Insurers), who have been so supportive over the last few years, are once again helping by sponsoring the event.
Please join us for what will be a great celebration of 15 years of steady achievement, and please encourage other friends who understand that this agenda of getting more Conservative women into public life (which is more important than ever) to join us too. All are welcome.
Although there is no charge for the event, we will be fundraising during the evening, as our resources are obviously depleted following donations made at the general election last year. There will be a draw and a silent auction, with some fabulous prizes including: afternoon tea with me, a House of Commons bottle signed by Theresa May, a day’s fishing on the Endsleigh river in Devon, an overnight stay at historic Antony House with a tour of the garden by Sir Richard Carew Pole (previous president of the RHS), a romantic stay for two at the Dorchester, a signed copy of Sasha Swire’s ‘Diary of an MP’s Wife', and a private tour of the Sipsmith distillery.
Finally, if you know of anyone who you think would make a great MP, please do put them in touch. We also ask that everyone follow us on our LinkedIn page, in order to extend our network. Being an MP isn’t for everyone, but in the words of Virginia Crosbie, who until December was director of Women2Win, and is now MP for Anglesey ‘This is the job I was born to do’. Please help us to find more like her.
Baroness Jenkin, co-founder of Women2Win
P.S. if you or someone you know is interested in public appointments, click here.
#Women2Win #W2W15years #W2WEvents
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Further Information:
Have a question for one of our guest speakers? Please send requests to: [email protected] no later than 20th November.
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