WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones is asking people to throw tea parties to celebrate 90 years since men and women over 21 gained the right to vote.
She wants people to sign up to EqualiTeas – Parliament’s initiative to celebrate what equality means to them over a cup of tea.
This year marks 100 years since The Representation of the People Act 1918 extended the right to vote to all men over 21 and the first women, making this one of the most important centenaries in British democratic history. Ten years later The Representation of the People Act 1928, gave all men and women over 21 the right to vote.
These acts followed years of campaigning, with the first petition to Parliament asking for votes for women presented to the House of Commons on August 3, 1832.
EqualiTeas will take place between June 18 and July 2.
Ms Jones said: “Historically, tea parties were hotbeds of political activism. It was one of the few ways women could meet without men to discuss and plan.
“The leading suffrage organisations used tea parties and tea shops as central elements in their campaigning, to increase awareness, discuss tactics and raise money. But, events do not have to be a tea party – just an event or activity that brings people together to discuss equality, and anyone can hold an EqualiTeas tea party, whether it is big or small, private or public, inside or out.
“The Representation of the People Act 1928 was a vital step towards the rights women and men have today, and these anniversaries are an incredibly important opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come.
“We all know that there is still more to do when it comes to equality in Britain, and EqualiTeas is an excellent opportunity to reach out to others in our community and share our ideas for an even more equal society, while celebrating the strides we have already made.
“I look forward to working with people across Warrington North to ensure we create an even more equal society.”
Everyone who registers an event on the EqualiTeas website (equaliteas.org.uk) will receive a free pack of resources, including an EqualiTeas board game.
Enjoy a cuppa – to celebrate 90 years of electoral equality
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5 Comments
I think I am missing something but when is the election? All this activity in the Warrington press make me wonder that our MPs know that something is happening and that an e?section will be triggered in the next few months 😱
I don’t know about celebrating suffrage Geoff. Until they change the democratic electoral system to one giving the electorate a greater say in the political process, when we have elections, rather continuing with one that favours the aims of the political elite, we should be reflecting on all those years of sufferage.Women involved in politics around the world are constrained not only by the proverbial glass ceiling, but also by the quiet threat of violence they face—and the significant challenges they may face when attempting to report these threats.
Sorry but my posting here seems to somehow have taken up a bit of an earlier comment,. Please ignore the last sentence in this instance.
I think that it may be more a case of what can I talk about this week to generate some headlines. This week its encouraging people to drink tea. And more tea. And in a social setting. Although it doesn’t have to be in a social setting. Anywhere is fine. And size doesn’t matter too. Whether it is big or small, private or public, inside or out (eh??) Coffee drinkers not welcome obviously. Helen maybe interested to learn that in the coming months we will be celebrating national fish and chip day and don’t forget burger day too. National smile week isn’t too far away either so this will lend a whole host of photo ops to indulge herself in. And by then national doughnut day will be on us. I’d rather much listen to her thoughts on Brexit though and where she stands on that these days. And locally what does she think of the town regeneration plans and is she being involved in any of this? That’s what I want to read the MP talking to us about. Not regaling us with nonsense about tea parties.
“I look forward to working with people across Warrington North to ensure we create an even more equal society.” Noble words but could we have some specifics and not generalisms? What people is Helen referring to? Individuals? Or groups? If groups what particular groups. Can Helen name them and if she can then maybe there could be a follow up article referencing these groups and how they plan to work with Helen on taking this forward? Otherwise this looks suspiciously like some kind of cut and paste job, simply tagged with ‘Warrington North’ at the end which will ultimately be forgotten about by the start of this week. Over to Helen