The Party Conferences Deliver A Women's Verdict

The Spectator ‘nominate’ Jo Swinson (pictured above), minister for business and minister for equality, as the future leader of the Liberal Democrat party and the answer to its ’women’s problems’. Swinson took centre stage at the Liberal Democrat conference as she called for a “modern workplace revolution” to “unlock the potential of women across our economy, at all levels.”

MP for Cardiff Central, Jenny Willott, also addressed this topic; in an article for The Telegraph, she said the conference reminded her that Lib Dems need to work harder to improve our female representation. However, this appears easier said then done, as Willott stated the changes to the Equality Act, debated at the conference, will mean Lib Dems will now have to abandon their female quotas.

Also taking place was a fringe meeting on body image, which saw women outnumbered by men in the audience. Another event looked at the impact of austerity on women, where a disable female party member gave a speech, stating that the coalition cuts have left her living with just 50p a day.

The following week in Manchester, Ed Milliband, focused on his ’one nation’ vision at the Labour conference. However, Yvette Cooper to the women’s conference focused on how the cut have impacted on women. The party’s minister for equality said the ConDem government has “failed” women with cuts to child care, refuge closure and a rise in female unemployment. She claimed Labour would “improve women’s lives” with more flexible working hours, better child care and more support for those caring for elderly relatives.

Cooper also used the “f” word, she defined a Labour Party feminism as a party that is “welcoming and inclusive” and “listens to the varied voices and supports the different choices women make”. She continued her plight for women, when she spoke in her role as shadow home secretary, at the main party conference, demanding urgent action to tackle violence against women.

When shadow energy secretary, Caroline Flint, addressed the main conference, she called for “cleaner future” in an “energy revolution”, that would also see a “fairer…market” for tax payers.

In other news, Chancellor George Osborne called for further cuts, curbing employee rights, including a reduction in maternity leave, in exchange for company share, this prompted concern. Also Jeremy Hunt was in support of a reduction in the abortion time limit, lowering it 12 weeks.