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Tories put women in spotlight in attempt to harness female vote Tories put women in spotlight in attempt to harness female vote
(7 months later)
One female Conservative MP tells a story about how, in the weeks after the influx of new female Tories into the House of Commons at the last election, some of her male colleagues struggled to tell them apart. Instead they resorted to calling any or all of the new women "Caroline".One female Conservative MP tells a story about how, in the weeks after the influx of new female Tories into the House of Commons at the last election, some of her male colleagues struggled to tell them apart. Instead they resorted to calling any or all of the new women "Caroline".
That story, from inside the party's own parliamentary ranks, reflects the wider suspicion of the Tories among women voters. Although ICM polls for the Guardian fluctuate, the Tories have a longstanding problem with the female vote. This week's poll shows that Labour has a seven point lead over the Tories among men, but a 26 point one among women.That story, from inside the party's own parliamentary ranks, reflects the wider suspicion of the Tories among women voters. Although ICM polls for the Guardian fluctuate, the Tories have a longstanding problem with the female vote. This week's poll shows that Labour has a seven point lead over the Tories among men, but a 26 point one among women.
Downing Street has long been aware of the problem and last year appointed a special adviser to focus solely on policies that might appeal to women.Downing Street has long been aware of the problem and last year appointed a special adviser to focus solely on policies that might appeal to women.
But now party advisers are warning that their greatest asset in the campaign to win back women voters – the fresh intake of Tory women MPs from the 2010 elections – could be under threat and that the increase in women MPs could even go into reverse.But now party advisers are warning that their greatest asset in the campaign to win back women voters – the fresh intake of Tory women MPs from the 2010 elections – could be under threat and that the increase in women MPs could even go into reverse.
After the big jump in Tory women MPs at the last general election, from 17 to 49, any reduction would be a blow to David Cameron, who made getting more women on to the party's green benches a very personal mission.After the big jump in Tory women MPs at the last general election, from 17 to 49, any reduction would be a blow to David Cameron, who made getting more women on to the party's green benches a very personal mission.
The Conservative party is in the process of selecting candidates for the 40 new seats they have targeted as vital to their chances of winning a majority at the 2015 election, and the emerging list of names is seen as a crucial test of whether it stands a chance of increasing women's representation. So far 16 have been selected, of whom just four are women, although the party has also chosen a woman, Maria Hutchings, as a candidate in the Eastleigh byelection.The Conservative party is in the process of selecting candidates for the 40 new seats they have targeted as vital to their chances of winning a majority at the 2015 election, and the emerging list of names is seen as a crucial test of whether it stands a chance of increasing women's representation. So far 16 have been selected, of whom just four are women, although the party has also chosen a woman, Maria Hutchings, as a candidate in the Eastleigh byelection.
After those 40, attention will turn to how many women are selected for safe "retirement" seats, giving them an even better chance of getting elected.After those 40, attention will turn to how many women are selected for safe "retirement" seats, giving them an even better chance of getting elected.
"There are a lot of us very focused on making sure [there are more Tory women MPs after 2015], including the PM, who is totally committed to it," said Lady Jenkin, a long-time party activist and chair of the party's support group Women2Win. "But it's not a done deal because it depends on the individuals being as good as blokes; better in some cases.""There are a lot of us very focused on making sure [there are more Tory women MPs after 2015], including the PM, who is totally committed to it," said Lady Jenkin, a long-time party activist and chair of the party's support group Women2Win. "But it's not a done deal because it depends on the individuals being as good as blokes; better in some cases."
A high proportion of the 2010 intake of women MPs are in marginal seats, which will be the hardest to hold. Meanwhile, the abandonment of proactively pro-women policies, such as all-women candidate shortlists with a minimum of three out of six women for new candidate seats, could compound that problem.A high proportion of the 2010 intake of women MPs are in marginal seats, which will be the hardest to hold. Meanwhile, the abandonment of proactively pro-women policies, such as all-women candidate shortlists with a minimum of three out of six women for new candidate seats, could compound that problem.
Some MPs also point towards structural and long-running problems of life as an MP: the continuing and off-putting pressures of the long hours, often far from home, and constant media and public scrutiny, highlighted by stories in the last year such as the one about Caroline Spelman's teenage son's obsession with bodybuilding supplements and culture secretary Maria Miller's expenses.Some MPs also point towards structural and long-running problems of life as an MP: the continuing and off-putting pressures of the long hours, often far from home, and constant media and public scrutiny, highlighted by stories in the last year such as the one about Caroline Spelman's teenage son's obsession with bodybuilding supplements and culture secretary Maria Miller's expenses.
Others revive memories of the high-profile resignation of chick lit author Louise Mensch (taking the Tory women MP count down to 48 when the party lost the byelection), and the outcry over Nadine Dorries's decision to take part in the reality TV show I'm A Celebrity..., both of which some in the party fear may deter selection boards from picking women candidates.Others revive memories of the high-profile resignation of chick lit author Louise Mensch (taking the Tory women MP count down to 48 when the party lost the byelection), and the outcry over Nadine Dorries's decision to take part in the reality TV show I'm A Celebrity..., both of which some in the party fear may deter selection boards from picking women candidates.
However, Sarah Newton, one of those new Tory MPs in the marginal Truro and Falmouth seat, and who is the party's deputy chairman with particular responsibility for women, believes the effort that has gone into talent spotting and nurturing high-quality female candidates, and the dogged work by MPs in marginal seats to first win them and, since 2010, to hold up the vote, will prevent losses in two years' time.However, Sarah Newton, one of those new Tory MPs in the marginal Truro and Falmouth seat, and who is the party's deputy chairman with particular responsibility for women, believes the effort that has gone into talent spotting and nurturing high-quality female candidates, and the dogged work by MPs in marginal seats to first win them and, since 2010, to hold up the vote, will prevent losses in two years' time.
"I'm confident it's do-able, but it's tough," she says. "Even if some women need to retire [after losing], some of the people we have chosen will be elected. Certainly our ambition is to constantly improve on our achievements in 2010.""I'm confident it's do-able, but it's tough," she says. "Even if some women need to retire [after losing], some of the people we have chosen will be elected. Certainly our ambition is to constantly improve on our achievements in 2010."
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