At the Labour Party conference in 2000, a meeting organised by the New Politics Network addressed the influence of 'lad culture' on British politics today. Drawing on the experiences and ideas of women elected to Westminster and the new devolved institutions in Scotland, Wales and London, the panel and the audience looked at how the influx of women on the political scene was changing the political culture, and how much more needs to be done. As the country gears up for a General Election, this paper draws on the ideas that emerged from the meeting, and looks at the effect that devolution has had on the country's political landscape. Women's involvement in political life has been central to Fawcett's work ever since the vote was won. Fawcett feel that both of these goals would be more readily achievable if there was a more equal balance of male and female candidates.
Women experience politics differently from men.
They are less likely to be members of political parties, they are less likely to hold elected office, and they are less likely to see the realities of their lives reflected in political coverage in the media. Women and men in the UK still lead very different lives. Women continue to earn less than men and they are far more likely to work part time, in low paid, insecure jobs. They are less likely to receive training and promotion, and they are still far more likely to take on the burden of caring responsibilities. Bearing in mind these differences, it would be surprising if women did not have different political priorities and perspectives.