AS the country marks 100 years since the first woman gained the right to vote Warrington North MP Helen Jones is urging people in her constituency to get involved in UK Parliament Week.
UK Parliament Week is a UK-wide festival, which is taking place from 12-18 November, which aims to engage people, especially young people, from different backgrounds and communities, with the UK Parliament and empower them to get involved.
The week is part of the UK Parliament’s VOTE 100 programme, celebrating equal voting rights and other milestones in the UK’s democratic history. A record high of 32% women MPs were elected to the House of Commons in 2017’s General Election. There is further to go in encouraging diversity; UK Parliament invites people of all backgrounds to have a say in their democracy.
Other centenaries coming up this year include the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act which gave women over 21 the right to stand for election as an MP (November 21) and the 1918 General Election when women over 30 and all men over 21 voted for the first time (December 14).
MP Jones said: “I welcome people’s involvement in UK Parliament Week. It’s great that schools, Girlguides, Scouts and other local groups are taking part but it’s not too late to join in and I would urge more groups to do so. It is a fantastic way to ensure that our voters and citizens of tomorrow understand how vital their participation is in our democracy.”
David Clark, Head of Education and Engagement at UK Parliament, said: “There are many exciting events as part of this year’s UK Parliament Week. Schools, workplaces and community groups have a chance to get involved in their democracy, and to also celebrate one of the most important centenaries in British democratic history. We can only work towards a more equal society if we all engage with democracy so please find ways to get involved.”
