15.09.17
Male LCR cabinet urged to give up their seats for female nominees
The entirely male cabinet at the Liverpool City Region (LCR) have this week been urged to give up their seats by the Women’s Leadership Group (WLG) in a drive towards a more gender inclusive authority.
Writing in an open letter, the WLG argued that it was “appalled” that the new LCR cabinet was made up entirely of men, and suggested that to redress the balance any cabinet member with voting rights should demonstrate their commitment by nominating a woman to take their place.
The letter also makes reference to the fact that Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool City Council mayor Joe Anderson had both set a precedent by demanding their cabinets be made up of at least 50% women.
It also stated that LCR mayor Steve Rotheram had not responded to the private requests of the group, although he did reportedly say this was not an issue that he had the power to change.
“As feminists and believers of equality in 2017, we didn’t expect to be asking a man to ‘give up his seat for a woman’ – but that’s what we are asking of you,” the letter said.
“We ask that all LCR cabinet members with voting rights, demonstrate their power and commitment to redressing the enduring gender imbalance and lack of diversity by nominating a woman from your cabinet to take your place.
“We know there are great elected and accountable women in every cabinet and council in the region who you already invest your confidence in – give them your seat,” the letter continued.
“Let’s show the next generation we are serious about their future and give them diverse, inspiring leaders and role models to be proud of.”
The WLG also argued that this was not just a social and political argument, but an economic one, as women represent 51% of communities, and that failing to have equal representation is a failure to “harness the energy and ideas of innovators across the LCR”.
“We expect this from the Tories,” the WLG concluded. “We don’t expect it from Labour – the party of equality. Seven men have decided that none of the hundreds of thousands of Merseyside women are good enough to join them in cabinet.”
Numerous studies recently have laid bare the shocking state of affairs for gender representation in local government.
An IPPR Report in August warned that another 3,000 female councillors would need to be added to achieve gender parity in councils.
And the Fawcett Society also sent the damning message that gender inclusion was actually “going backwards” as counties wouldn’t be equal until 2065 at the current rate of change.
The government has also not shown any signs of wanting to drive for real change, as last week it rejected six proposals to improve women’s representation in both the Commons and local government.