Bath MP calls for a culture change in Parliament to disband the “boys’ club”
4 March 2024
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, marked International Women’s Day 2024 by calling for a culture change in Parliament to encourage more women into politics.
On 29th February, the MP for Bath joined a Backbench Business debate in the House of Commons on a Motion to discuss language in politics on International Women’s Day. The Motion called for respectful language to be used as an important feature of a strong and inclusive democracy.
During the debate, Mrs Hobhouse urged Parliament to take greater responsibility for the language used in politics. She criticised the culture that has developed within Parliament, condemning it as a “boys’ club” that can act as a barrier to women standing to be an MP. Mrs Hobhouse said that the language used in the House often reinforced this environment.
In particular, the MP for Bath called out offensive “banter” in the workplace. She said that it was often dismissed as harmless joking between colleagues but could be insidious and dangerous. This comes months after Wera Hobhouse passed her Worker Protection Bill into law to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace which includes sexist comments disguised as banter.
While speaking in the debate, Caroline Nokes expressed her concern at the violent, misogynistic threats she had received as a Member of Parliament. Mrs Hobhouse joined her in condemning this abuse, raising a further call for the House to recognise that their staff are often the first contact when it comes to threatening behaviour towards MPs’ safety. She expressed her gratitude to all those who work tirelessly to ensure the security of her colleagues on the Parliamentary Estate.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, commented:
“No one should be subjected to misogynistic threats for doing their job. Amongst many other opportunities, this International Women’s Day gives us the chance to begin tackling the sexist language used in politics.
“Calling out this behaviour must start from within. Parliament should not be an exclusive, elitist boys’ club, but instead it should take up the task of pioneering a respectful and inclusive culture.
“Members have been calling for years for Parliament to be a welcoming space for all. It is high time it heeded these calls to show its commitment to equality.”
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