Dawn Butler MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, commenting on the 90th anniversary of the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928, which gave women equal voting rights to men by extending the franchise to all women over the age of 21, said:

“Today, we celebrate 90 years since all women achieved the right to vote. The 1918 Act left working class women behind and their contribution to the struggle for women’s suffrage and for fair working conditions is often written out of history. Labour has secured a Parliamentary debate to remember and honour the role of working class women in fighting for the rights we enjoy today.

“While we reflect on how far we’ve come in the last 90 years, we are also reminded how far we have to go to achieve full equality. But sadly, under this Conservative government, many women and other marginalised groups are overlooked and have been disproportionately affected by Tory cuts.

“This anniversary is a reminder of the importance of addressing the inequalities faced by all women – working class women, women from ethnic and religious minorities, disabled women and LGBT+ women, leaving no one behind. The next Labour government will end austerity and build a truly equal society for the many, not the few.”