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Speaker John Bercow: Parliament 'losing too many female MPs' | Speaker John Bercow: Parliament 'losing too many female MPs' |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Commons Speaker John Bercow has waded into the debate about the gender balance in Parliament. | Commons Speaker John Bercow has waded into the debate about the gender balance in Parliament. |
During a debate in the Commons chamber, Mr Bercow said Parliament was losing too many "outstanding" female MPs. | During a debate in the Commons chamber, Mr Bercow said Parliament was losing too many "outstanding" female MPs. |
Mr Bercow made the remark as he praised Labour MP and former minister Meg Munn, who is to stand down at the 2015 general election. | Mr Bercow made the remark as he praised Labour MP and former minister Meg Munn, who is to stand down at the 2015 general election. |
Labour leader Ed Miliband last week accused David Cameron of failing to promote female Tory MPs. | Labour leader Ed Miliband last week accused David Cameron of failing to promote female Tory MPs. |
The prime minister defended his record but acknowledged that he wanted to promote more women to his government. | |
Speaking in the Commons on Monday, Education Minister Edward Timpson paid tribute to Ms Munn for her work in supporting children in care. | Speaking in the Commons on Monday, Education Minister Edward Timpson paid tribute to Ms Munn for her work in supporting children in care. |
Mr Bercow accidentally called Ms Munn, the MP for Sheffield Heeley, to ask a question - even though she had already asked it. | Mr Bercow accidentally called Ms Munn, the MP for Sheffield Heeley, to ask a question - even though she had already asked it. |
To laughter from MPs, the Speaker told her: "You've had one go, that's enough." | To laughter from MPs, the Speaker told her: "You've had one go, that's enough." |
But he added: "But can I say I echo entirely what the minister [Mr Timpson] has said. This House is losing far too many outstanding members and far too many outstanding female members." | But he added: "But can I say I echo entirely what the minister [Mr Timpson] has said. This House is losing far too many outstanding members and far too many outstanding female members." |
In recent weeks, veteran Labour MPs Ann Clwyd and Anne McGuire and Conservative MP Jessica Lee have announced that they plan to stand down at the next general election. | In recent weeks, veteran Labour MPs Ann Clwyd and Anne McGuire and Conservative MP Jessica Lee have announced that they plan to stand down at the next general election. |
In January, Conservative MP Anne McIntosh was deselected by her local party, meaning that she cannot stand as a Conservative candidate in her constituency of Thirsk and Malton in the next election. | |
The number of female MPs has steadily increased over the past two decades and now stands at 147 out of a total of 650 but concerns have been expressed at the number planning to stand down at the next election. | The number of female MPs has steadily increased over the past two decades and now stands at 147 out of a total of 650 but concerns have been expressed at the number planning to stand down at the next election. |
Seven female Labour MPs have so far announced their retirement, including former minister Dame Tessa Jowell. | |
That puts them level with the Conservatives, when to comes to the percentage of women MPs standing down - 8%. | That puts them level with the Conservatives, when to comes to the percentage of women MPs standing down - 8%. |
Two women Liberal Democrats are standing down so far, but the party has fewer female MPs than the other two main parties, which means it will be losing 28% of its female MPs. |
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