Report on Gender Equlity: Labour and Greens in Brighton doing OK but could do better

The comments left on this blog by Rosa’s Lovely Daughter, or RLD as we are getting to know her, has provoked a defence of the records of both Labour and the Greens but no response, alas, from the Stepford One, Jason Kitcat.

RLD responded to yesterday’s post by writing: “Your correspondents aren’t so hot on gender politics are they? I thought the Greens would know all about equalities. Stephen Wood says Jason’s comments were “good natured self deprecation”. I don’t think so. What he said was patronising nonsense. Ania got more votes, not because she is good looking, but because she’s a good candidate and because the voters like women candidates. They also like seeing women in positions of authority. That’s why I’m concerned about the make up of the cabinet. Fifty per cent of the city’s population is female. We need fair representation. Come on Bill. Sort it out.”

Neil Harding rallies to the defence of the Stepford One: “I did think Jason’s comments were a bit dopey and sexist. But give the guy a break, it had been a tiring 24 hours and he was probably knackered. I am sure he meant it as a bit of self-deprecating banter.”

Warren Morgan highlights Labour’s record on gender equality: “As you have raised equalities RLD, well over half of the Labour Group 2007-11 were women, and over 40% of our candidates at the recent elections were women. Two of our five new councillors are women, so six of the 13 Labour councillors are women. Our Group Leader is a woman, the Chair of our Group is a woman and our new Mayor is a woman. We’ve been pushing equalities and representation in the Labour Party for a long time.”

Allie Cannell responds to RLD’s call for Bill Randall to “sort it out”: “One of the main reasons I am in the Greens is because Bill cannot sort it out! He may be convener of the Green Group and leader of the council but he has no constitutional power over the party.”

Allie reflects more widely on gender in politics: “I think the lack of women in politics is a big problem though (partly because the reasons for it probably put many people of all genders off politics). I would say that the Greens are generally pretty good at attempting a balance though (I think the leader and deputy leader of our party have to be different genders for example). It is a shame that this group of Green councillors has a slightly lower proportion of women then the last one but its still at 40%, which is pretty good for party politics. I don’t know how the make up of the cabinet happened but I would be very supprised if it happened in any sort of discriminatory atmosphere.”

Stephen Wood sums up the position for Labour and the Greens: “So in effect, Labour and the Green Party are broadly comparable locally with our representation of women in elected office, albeit with us ahead on seats.  Around 40% is good, but as RLD says, this can and should be better. In my experience of it, the Green Party nationally is takes gender equity seriously as an organisation and is held to it’s principles by our membership.”

Stephen says that there is still much to do for all parties around equalities in general, such as broadening the demographic base of our supporters, “something which I am particularly keen upon the Green Party engaging more pro-actively with. If the wrong impression has been given in a throwaway comment about our commitment to this, then I would apologise – and hope that recognition is given to the fact that we aspire to represent the rich diversity of Brighton and Hove’s population in how we conduct politics and open up political spaces.  I’ve never thought that we had the monopoly on good ideas – if others are more successful at this, I’d love to collaborate to improve representation in public life.”

I conclude with a question posed by Allie Cannell: “What do you think are the reasons that less women get involved in politics? I’ve never seen someone really analyse that but surely those reasons need to be identified so that we can put the gender balance right.”

A round-up of political blogs in Brighton and Hove (Part 2)

This is the second installment of my occasional round-up of Brighton (and Hove) political blogs.

Luke Walter: Luke’s Blog ‘The Plural Progressive’ is a pale reflection on his prolific presence on Twitter. The last time Luke posted something on his blog was 18th May which is a great shame since his posts were well worth reading.  Take, for his example, his post Momentum from 9th May which provides a great analysis of the Green’s chances in next May’s local elections.  Come on, Luke, get blogging again.

Mary Mears:  I enjoy Mary’s blog.  It is nicely sectarian, never afraid to have a dig at opposition councillors, not least Ben Duncan who seems to get to Mary regarding his comments on EDO.  May is a highly effective politician and is underestimated by her opponents at their peril.  I profoundly disagree with a lot of what she says, but she has insights that make her one of the foremost bloggers locally – and she blogs on such a regular basis for someone so busy.

Metrodeco’s Brighton Blog: All the big stories, all the big news, all the big gossip…  Not necessarily a political blog but worth dipping into from time to time as this blog offers an interesting perspective on life in Kemptown.

Nancy Platts: Since her defeat at the general election, Nancy has moved back to London but has promised to move back to Brighton should she be selected to take on Caroline Lucas at the next General Election.  (Don’t do it, Nancy, you will get heavily defeated.  Chose a winnable seat which Brighton Pavilion won’t be next time unless it emerges that Caroline Lucas is an alien receiving backhanders from the airline industry).  Her Brighton blog (like that of her Tory opponent Chuck Vere) has been put on ice.  Follow the link and you will be told “Holding page for http://www.nancyplatts.com”. Probably one to remove until, and if, Nancy returns.

Neil Harding: Neil produces a regular, easy to read blog.  Gone is the busy landing page which confused my simple mind.  Now it is clean, crisp and readable.  A good, honest blogger who provides an important perspective on politics in Hove (and Brighton).

I’ll review others next time.  Please let me know if I have missed any local political blogs.  I am aware that there is a shortage of local Labour blogs.  Please suggest some.

Review of Brighton Blogs

There are eight regular political blogs in Brighton and Hove.  All are worth a look.  Here is my take on these eight:

Ben Duncan, Green candidate for Brighton Kemptown and councillor in Queens Park Ward, is the most regular political blogger locally. Worth reading each day, although he might like to consider length and should ask himself if everything in each post is worth saying.

Jason Kitcat, Green councillor for Regency Ward, is also a most regular blogger, but of more interst to Green Party members than real people. He can go on, and on, and on about certain subjects, and I am sure he finds it all fascinating. Some of his stuff, however, is spot on.

Mary Mears, Conservative Leader of the City Council, posts weekly, although it mostly lacks politics!  It is as if her entries are drafted by the press office at King’s House. 

Nancy Platts, Labour candidate in Brighton Pavilion, has a cluttered but energetic sight, although without any dates it is difficult to know how up to date it is. She uses photographs well, and demonstrates that she knows where Crabtree Avenue is!

Neil Harding was, until 25th August, the most regular of bloggers but since then, nothing. Is he ok? His blogs are missed.

Andy Richards‘ People’s Republic of Hove is a regular and opinionated blog (both are a good thing).  He is still fighting battles of the 1980′s (not a good thing) and his blog reflects an increasingly marginalised view, but it is still well worth reading. 

Paul Elgood writes the Brunswick Blog but it is as exciting as an out of date edition of Liberal Focus.  If you want to know what letters the 2 Lib Dem councillors have written, and which meeting they have attended, then this is the blog for you.

And finally, there is the Brighton Politics Blog, always wonderful, original, inspirational, and ever so humble.