Nick Gibb joined Kate Eccles, from Bognor Regis, in Westminster Hall at the House of Commons as part of the national event, ‘Ask Her to Stand’.
Inspired by the centenary of the Qualification of Women Act, which first allowed women to stand for election to Parliament, ‘Ask her to Stand’ was the biggest work-shadowing event ever to take place in the House of Commons. With MPs welcoming hundreds of female delegates from across the country, the purpose of the day was to inspire more women to stand for public office.
Kate Eccles has stood as a Conservative candidate in local Arun and West Sussex County Council elections. Kate is a successful businesswoman in the textiles industry and a university lecturer in business.
Nick Gibb said: “Ensuring we have more women in Parliament is a priority for the House of Commons. Events such as ‘Ask her to stand’ can be hugely helpful in encouraging women from all walks of life to stand for election. In the 2017 General Election 208 women were elected to Parliament, an all time high and representing 32% of MPs. But we need that figure to rise further.”
Photo: Nick Gibb and Kate Eccles with a Lego model of a suffragette, made from 32,000 Lego bricks.