Labour's 'next big challenge' spearheaded by Manchester MP

Labour must not “rest on our laurels” on diversity in Parliament, a Manchester MP has said.

Ahead of Labour's annual women's conference today (September 21), the party has hailed July's general election as a 'landmark' for female representation in Parliament. Four in 10 MPs elected were women, the highest proportion of female MPs in the UK's history.

The numbers of ethnic minority and openly LGBT MPs are also at record levels. However, the party has said that 'the next big challenge' will be to change the culture of Parliament to make sure women, ethnic minority, LGBT and disabled MPs stay in politics.

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Manchester Central MP and Commons leader Lucy Powell said: “This Parliament is our most diverse ever, in large part down to the huge number of Labour MPs who were elected. Our first Women’s Conference under a Labour government in 15 years is a moment to celebrate.

“But we can't rest on our laurels. If we are to restore trust in politics, we need a Parliament which properly reflects the country we serve.

“While getting elected is the first step, we know that many women leave politics because of the culture, the work-life balance and because they fear for their safety. Through the newly established Modernisation Committee, this Government will drive through changes to our politics to drive up standards, improve working practices and making the House of Commons an accessible and inclusive place to work, looking at how the House of Commons can be more family friendly, inclusive and open to all.”

The party has promised to make Parliament more inclusive and family friendly. The new Modernisation Committee, chaired by Ms Powell, also announced plans earlier this month to improve Parliament's culture and address issues of bullying and harassment.

Female MPs make up 46 per cent of the Parliamentary Labour Party after July’s election, while the 29 female Conservative MPs amount to 24 per cent of Tories in Parliament. The Liberal Democrats have 32 female MPs, 44 per cent of the party’s total.

Although the number of women Labour MPs has increased steadily since the 1990s, the party has never had a female leader, while the Tories have had three. On Thursday (September 19), Keir Starmer told broadcasters he hoped the party had a woman leader in future.

He said: “Do we need a female leader of the Labour Party? You bet we do. And, you know, I hope that that happens.”