Anna Firth, the Member of Parliament for Southend West, joined with women across the world to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th. On the day, she emphasised the need for more women in elected positions across local and national government.
Firth became the first woman to represent the constituency of Southend West following her election in February after the tragic murder of Sir David Amess. Her election made her the 224th female member of parliament to sit in the House of Commons following the 2019 General Election, taking female representation in Westminster to a record 34.5%. Since women were allowed to become Members of Parliament in 1918, there have been just 559 female MPs. Women are also underrepresented in other areas of democracy, including in the Welsh Senedd, Scottish Parliament and across local and national councils. Just 24% of Southend Borough Councillors are women.
Speaking on International Women’s Day, Anna said:
“It is a huge privilege to be an MP this International Women's Day, and I was immensely proud to be the 224th female to be elected since 2019, increasing the level of female representation in Westminster to a record high. However, it remains shocking that since 1918 there have only been 559 female MPs in total, especially when you think that there are 425 men sitting in the Commons at the moment.
“Lack of representation is not just a problem in Westminster, but throughout our democratic institutions. None of our major political bodies are even close to gender equality. My message to the young women out there this International Women’s Day is to put yourself forward for election and to be the change that we all want to see.”
