Companies now have to reveal their gender pay gaps, so why, 90 years after the passing of the Equal Franchise Act, are political parties not required to do the same, asks Jess Garland of the Electoral Reform Society

Ninety years ago today the Equal Franchise Act – which gave women equal voting rights to men – received royal assent. It is an occasion to reflect on what has been achieved in gender equality, but also to recognise that we still have a long way to go. Currently just a third of MPs and councillors are women. Ninety years on, women are still not fully represented in political life.

One way to improve this situation is to increase transparency around who is standing for elections. This can be done without any new legislation: section 106 of the Equality Act requires parties to publish the demographic makeup of their election candidates. This legislation already exists, it just needs to be enacted by the government.

If companies are now made to show their gender pay gaps, why are political parties not required to do the same?

There are many reasons behind gender inequality in politics, but this small change could go a long way. Parties should be made to open up about the diversity of their candidates.

The sooner this small change – backed by the women and equalities select committee – is enacted, the sooner the UK’s political gender gap can be disclosed and remedied.

Jess Garland

Director of policy and research, Electoral Reform Society

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