Missed opportunity to increase number of women MPs

Published on Saturday 8 May 2010 20:09

SCOTLAND'S political parties missed the opportunity to increase the number of women MPs, the anti-sexist group Engender said yesterday.

Engender said that although a "record number of Scottish women MPs have been elected... it adds up to a modest increase of only four".

Thirteen female MPs will represent Scotland in Westminster, compared with nine in 2005.

Karen Dargo of Engender said equal representation had not been achieved following Thursday's General Election.

Dargo said: "This is a wasted opportunity when so many sitting MPs were standing down.

"Although the number of women has risen, the performance of political parties north and south of the border has been underwhelming on this issue.

"A real commitment is needed, including the greater use of equality measures."

Analysis carried out by Edinburgh University academics found that Scottish Labour had the most female MPs, which it suggested was largely down to the party's policy of having all-women shortlists.

Nine of Scotland's 13 female MPs are Labour, with the other two coming from the SNP and the Liberal Democrats.