2018 Conference - large print documents
Here are the key conference documents in large print, made available in both MS Word and PDF.
Conference programme
Conference motions, emergency motions and amendments in large print
Edited constitution, amended for the Governance Review emergency motions
Equality in Health policy, submitted alongside the Health and Social Care motion
Standing orders
Please note - printed copies of large print documents are only made available on request, so if you haven't already discussed your access requirements with the WE team, we recommend you bring your own printed copies, or download these documents onto an appropriate device for use at conference. If you have asked for large print versions, a pack will be provided for you.
Meet the Steering Committee Candidates
The Steering Committee is the Party’s central decision-making body outside of Party Conferences. It steers the direction of the Party by agreeing strategy, planning ahead and reacting to internal and external factors. It monitors the Party’s activities and outcomes against its mission, aims and objectives, and makes sure the Party’s activities are within the budget it sets and approves each year. It is also the body with the sole discretion to decide when and where WE stand candidates in elections.
Conference delegates will be able to cast their vote at conference. Find out more about 2018's candidates below.
Alison Smith
I’m Ali Smith, a feminist who hates injustice; I joined the Women’s Equality Party to help achieve equality. I’m committed to consensus politics and WE’s focused objectives.
Helping to build the Brighton and Hove branches, draft WE’s constitution and research our policies was the perfect preparation for being elected to the Steering Committee in 2016.
The committee’s requirements play to my strengths:
- a laser eye for detail
- knowing and applying WE’s policies
- a deep understanding of our constitution
-
analysing new information, discussing:
- its relevance and strategic potential
- how it could influence our direction
- lifelong experience of election campaigning*
- the practical application of political strategy to our campaigns
- keeping branches’ and members’ needs always in mind.
*I now have M.E., an invisible disability which, frustratingly, stops me canvassing or doing physical work.
If I’m re-elected to the Steering Committee I will continue to do the grassroots work behind the scenes, making sure our party’s structure is robust, compliant, transparent, accessible, and WE are democratic, diverse, inclusive and strategically sound.
I hope to carry on the work I’ve started and I’d be honoured to do so as your representative.
Please vote for me. Thank you.
Annie Rickard
I am standing for election to the steering committee because I am committed to WEP and would love the opportunity to get more involved in the party strategy.
Although I have no political experience, I feel, like many, that we are constantly let down by our elected politicians. The most exciting thing to have happened in politics in recent years is the formation of WE. The commitment to equality for everyone, underpinned by a belief that the failure to harness women’s talents is both shameful and an opportunity, is genuinely inspirational, and has the potential to transform society.
My experience as an entrepreneur and global executive in advertising and media, surrounded by men for 30 years, has made me more determined than ever to bring about change. I developed multiple initiatives to mentor and teach women globally and at all levels within advertising. I believe that this direct action is the only way to ensure women’s voices are heard. Having stepped down from this role, I am keen to dedicate my time and energy to work with WEP to ensure its success, growth, and diversity.
I am excited to work with WEP to bring about this vital transformation.
Barbara Guest
I’ve been an active member of the Manchester branch since August 2015, and have helped plan, organise, campaign, canvass, raise funds, been an election agent, and done many other things to help spread the word locally about our party’s objectives and policies. I have learnt a lot and have also been able to share my own experiences and knowledge to help develop our branch.
I believe it’s vital that WE continually have conversations with new people and build a diverse support base. It will take all of us working together to bring about the substantial changes needed to achieve gender equality. For me, diversity equals strength. It brings different ways of approaching situations, a wider range of skills, experiences and knowledge, leading to more creative ways of thinking. Why would you not want to develop the potential and harness the talents of everyone?
I’ve developed a broad range of skills both as a frontline social welfare adviser and a manager, working across both the public and voluntary sectors, fighting to protect the rights and services of people living with poverty and/or disadvantage. I would love to be given the opportunity to share them to help steer and strengthen our party.
Deborah Granville
As a founder member and committed supporter of WEP, I would love the chance to help steer the party to even greater success. Since attending the second party meeting in April 2015, I put together the Haringey and Barnet branch of the party, co-lead it for two years, then was elected leader of the Haringey branch where I ran the general election campaign for Nimco Ali in Hornsey Wood Green. I stood down to take up a post with Haringey Council, but now that I’ve settled in, I have time and energy to devote to helping the party mobilise a greater number of supporters and gain that all important first seat on a council or in the House of Commons. I believe that my skills as a senior manager, professional fundraiser and campaigner, together with my experience in the Party as an organiser and foot soldier make me an ideal candidate for steering committee membership, and someone who can help take our party to the next level. I am gutted I cannot be at Conference as I will be abroad, but I am available on social media for any questions you may have on my candidacy. Thank you!
Francesca Pridding
I am Francesca Pridding and I am asking for you to vote for me to become part of the Steering Committee. I am a Town Clerk from rural Mid-Wales, the mother of twin 18 year-old daughters. I am a strategist, a peace keeper, a budget planner, a negotiator, a recruiter and a debater. I am looking for the opportunity to really make a difference to the lives of women in the world and and I am passionate about this cause.
I hope to help greater engagement with women who would not immediately identify themselves as feminists, I want to engage teenagers, however they identify, and develop strategies for dealing with 21st Century challenges and help educate them in respecting everyone. I want to help develop communications and strategies that bring visible results, that get noticed across the country and in the rest of the world, the Women’s Equality Party is a wonderful vehicle for change and influence across the party spectrum and they’re all starting to listen.
I know we’re winning, we’re breaking down doors every day, let’s keep this momentum and demonstrate how change will be achieved, through compassion, intelligence and a persistence like the world has never seen.
Janet Baker
My name is Janet Baker, and I’m a founding member of The Women’s Equality Party
I’m a service brat – my father was in the RAF - and I spent my childhood constantly moving around. I learned when and how to fit in - and when to stand my ground.
I’m a self-employed painter/decorator and have run my own business for the past 15 years. It’s hard work, tiring and grubby – but I love it. I’m responsible for making the changes happen. I don’t expect anyone to do something I’m not prepared to do myself.
In May, I stood for election as a councillor. I’m proud and amazed at what WE achieved, and I’m determined to do it again. I spoke at hustings, post show panels and a charity dinner. Working together, WE convinced 24% of the voters to choose me and WE! That’s what a difference we can make by being part of the political conversation.
I’m not part of an elite, and come with no political baggage except what I've learned as an active grass-roots WE member. So, I'll do as I've always done: look at any problem from all sides and find a workable solution.
Leila Fazal
My father’s an Asian immigrant, my mother a single-parent. I came from a deprived area riddled with racism and poverty during Thatcher’s era. This fuelled my drive for equality from an early age.
Aged 5, at a school assembly I had to say what I wanted to be when older. “A ballet dancer, and the Prime Minister because I want to stop black people being picked on.”
Aged 16 I embarked on political activism – protesting with my mum’s severely disabled friend for disability access to the town hall. We won.
Education was my ticket out of poverty. From the age of 14 I worked to fund my degree in history and women’s studies. At university I learnt to analyse, debate and apply a feminist lens.
I’m a charity’s Head of Funding, assisting it’s growth to £15m. During my career I’ve worked on gender equality, environmentalism, peacebuilding, corruption, housing, health and children in care.
I’m the Lambeth co-branch leader, a dedicated canvasser, WE’s voluntary fundraising mentor and was an election paper candidate.
My dream of ballet broke along with my ankle. As for being Prime Minister, I’ll settle for using my skills as a Committee Member to get WE into power.
Nicola Hobson
Nicola Hobson - WEP founding member. Active Exeter Branch member with fundraising portfolio.
I believe I bring different skills to the party. My background is in advertising & marketing, business development and government contracts. I have a proven track record as a skilled strategist, problem solver and lateral thinker, with a creative mind.
I am good at seeing a way through complex situations considering different perspectives and making sound decisions. I enjoy working collaboratively as part of a diverse and multifaceted team, recognising the benefits this brings. I have excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, which enables me to liaise and negotiate at all levels and be comfortable in different environments.
On a Development Course my peers wrote that I should continue to: “be supportive and inspiring to those [I] meet” and “support others and challenge [myself] and the status quo.” I have an ability to put ideas across articulately. I am a good negotiator, extremely reliable, loyal ambassador, with strong management skills. My wide experience of running my own business, people management, project management and facilitation gives me a truly all-round perspective on organisational needs.
All of which I would love to dedicate to WEP to make OUR future flourish.
Rebecca Lammers
I’m running for steering committee because I believe in the future of the Women’s Equality Party and I want to help achieve gender equality in the United Kingdom in my lifetime. My work background is in music, social media, entrepreneurship and communications, which are all sectors where women are underrepresented and underpaid. I have run a small business for four years where I have developed excellent use of my skills in budgeting, strategy, development and negotiation. I'm keen to close the gender pay gap and I’ve already helped accomplish this having been a mentor for women in various mentoring programmes over the last few years.
As Co-Branch Leader for Hackney branch I:
- Helped to grow awareness of the Party during local elections this year
- Research local issues by reading news articles and council documents
- Regularly speak with leaders in the community
- Recruit new and existing members to get involved in Party activist events
Calling myself a feminist is something I’m relatively new to but I'm keen to learn, embrace and implement a feminist ideology in politics. My underlying philosophy for everything that I do for the Party is that by achieving gender equality, our lives and society at large will be better. My main aim in joining Steering Committee is for the Party to prioritize winning elections. The more elected positions the Party holds, the better position we are in to bring in the changes our Party stands for.
Rufus Duits
I am 38 years old; my wife and I have two daughters - three and a half and 21 months respectively. I am Head of Philosophy at St Paul’s School in London - one of the country’s top performing academic independent schools for boys. I have spearheaded campaigns at the school to tackle homophobia and misogyny and lad-culture, and I am proud to have produced a real and profound shift in the attitudes of our pupils to women and girls and the women’s movement. It can be done. I am committed more widely to forcing changes to our education system that embed equal expectations and opportunities for girls and boys.
I publish philosophical articles. The main foci of my research are semiotics and ethics - in particular, applied ethics issues, such as abortion. I also work as a semi-professional musician when I can, and I am an extremely passionate climber.
Sian Godwin
I have honed my leadership skills and ability to connect and work with all types of women in my work as an Early Years teacher. I now work part time for Oxfordshire Council supporting school staff to work with children with Autism, and Communication and Interaction difficulties. I am also training as a Jungian psychotherapist, another way of facilitating change!
I have been a governor for a special school, a volunteer befriender for the Family Association’s ‘Link Up for Women’ scheme, and for Tandem, a project to support mentally ill. I have worked for Cruse Bereavement Counselling and sat on the PTA needless to say!
I am presently challenging my training organisation, having run up against ‘a patriarchal block’ to my making further progress. I am challenging them to ‘modernise’ and improve their approach to teaching and learning so as to take more account of the diverse range of teaching and learning styles. Two of my most fundamental values that I share with WEP are diversity and inclusion. I passionately believe that it is only by honouring, respecting and relating to difference and uniqueness in people that we can co-create a society that will take us into the future!
2018 Motions
A motion is a proposal for discussion at party conference. Motions that are adopted (voted for by party members at the conference) become party resolutions. The deadline for motion proposals has now passed.
Members are now invited to submit any amendments to the motions outlined below. An amendment changes part of the wording of a motion to introduce a new idea or improve an existing one, but cannot change the intent of the motion. If an amendment is passed by conference, the amended motion is the version that will then be debated. Find out more about the full process.
If you would like to submit an amendment to a motion, you should:
✔ read the amendment guidelines in the official motions guidelines,
✔ notify central office of your intention to submit an amendment,
✔ gather support of your branch OR if you'd like to submit an amendment as an individual, find the support of four other members to back your amendment,
✔ submit your amendments form. Ensure you download the full motion below so you can specify which lines you would like to amend. You can find a sample amendments form here.
Deadline for receipt of amendments to motions 9th August - THIS DEADLINE HAS NOW PASSED
2018 MOTIONS
Motion for Conference to approve the appointment of five Steering Committee members, and the reappointment of two members of the Appeals Body
Proposed by: The Steering Committee
WE’s Steering Committee recommends the appointment to the Steering Committee of the following five members:
- Amika George
- Shola Mos-Shogbamimu
- Yvonne Thompson (for a second term)
- Athena Stevens and
- Iman Achera
for a term of office of three years or until the next Party Conference following, or shortly before, the expiry of that three-year term, unless otherwise decided in accordance with Articles 7.5.7(vi) and 7.5.9. of the WE Constitution.
The Steering Committee also recommends the reappointment of:
- Judy Hargadon (Chair) and
- Liz Daughters (Deputy Chair)
to the Appeals Body for a standard term of five years.
Branch Representation in Decision Making
Proposed by: Camden Women’s Equality Party and Lambeth Women’s Equality Party
The original constitution was written when the local branches were in their infancy. They are now well established, so now is the right time to move towards greater membership representation by allowing local branches to elect their hub co-ordinators and hub data managers.
We propose that the structure of WEP is revised by electing hub co-ordinators and data managers.
We propose the following method to elect the hub co-ordinator and hub data manager:
- Each branch elects a branch representative,
- This branch rep attends their hub,
- Each hub then elects the hub co-ordinator and hub data manager,
- In the event of a tied vote, both candidates will be offered a job share of the role.
The views of the membership will thus be represented on issues of the day, decisions about what to back and how WEP monies are spent. Branches can decide, in collaboration with the steering committee, the delineation of the hubs. All branch representatives, hub co-ordinators and hub data managers can be job shares.
We therefore recommend the following changes to the constitution:
7.7.3 Add "in collaboration with local branches".
7.7.4 Remove paragraph and replace with "Each hub shall be overseen by a hub committee consisting of one representative from each branch within that hub, elected by the membership of that branch. Each hub committee shall elect their hub co-ordinator and hub data manager. All representative, hub co-ordinator and hub data manager posts shall be available for job share."
Women's Equality Party policy on Brexit
Proposed by: WE Steering Committee
The Women's Equality Party’s second Conference:
- Regrets that women's voices were unheard during the referendum campaign in 2016.
- Notes the increasingly hostile environment to minorities, EU and foreign citizens since the referendum.
- Is alarmed by the ways in which Brexit threatens economic damage that will be felt disproportionately by women and women’s services.
- Reaffirms its support for the protections provided by the EU for women.
- Notes that the EU requires significant reform including on equality for women.
- Deplores the compromises on equal rights agreed by HM Government in return for the support of the Democratic Unionist Party to secure Brexit.
The existing policy of the Women's Equality Party is to campaign for the best outcome for women, whether or not Brexit proceeds. This conference reaffirms that policy but also recognises that the current chaotic rush to Brexit offers no reassurances of better outcomes for women and many points of heightened risk.
We therefore resolve to:
Call for any deal with the European Union—or absent any deal, any unilateral Brexit plan—to be subject to a meaningful parliamentary assessment and vote or, failing guarantees of such a process, a People's Vote.
- Seek to include in the franchise for a People’s Vote all those aged sixteen or older permanently resident in the UK; all those registered to vote in UK Local or General Elections, and all British citizens resident in the EU but outside the UK.
- Work, if we remain in the EU, to ensure that the EU's future policies include systematic integration of equal opportunities for all women by altering decision-making rules and norms.
Appropriate and sensitive approach to cervical screening
Proposed by: WE Norfolk
Cervical screening in the UK does not currently differentiate in approach between women. Misinformation about the need for cervical screening for those not engaging in heterosexual penetrative sex has led to differential levels of access for this critical healthcare. The outcomes of this can be catastrophic. Health Professionals do not provide all the correct information to patients due to lack of training and support to provide that information correctly, and do not observe the appropriate sensitivities during procedures on women. Fundamentally, the rights of women are not being met.
The Women’s Equality Party calls on the Department of Health and Social Care and the relevant professional bodies to ensure:
- All Health Professionals are educated that cervical screening is needed by anyone with a cervix.
- Health Professionals do not assume an active sex life means penetrative sex. WE call on Health Professionals to always check with the patients first.
- After patient consultation on the preferred approach, consideration is given to what kind of examination is appropriate, e.g. size of speculum etc.
- Health Professionals are educated on the terminology used when referring to the patient, e.g. do not assume “Mrs”.
Writing off Historic Child Support Arrears
Proposed by: WE Bristol and WE Bath
The Women’s Equality Party notes that the Westminster Government proposes to write off Historic Child Support Arrears, in order to reduce the cost of maintaining their records.
These arrears have accrued over decades, yet the Enforcement Powers that Parliament gave the Westminster Government over a decade ago have still not been commenced by Secondary Legislation.
Existing Child Support Law prevents the debtee from enforcing the debt through the courts themselves.
The Women’s Equality Party calls upon the Westminster Government to:
- Pay all Historic Child Support Arrears to debtees directly and in full.
- Use their existing powers to enforce the debt and reimburse the Tax Payer.
- Where the debt is a result of a decision by the First Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber), give debtees the option to enforce debts through the courts in future.
Furthermore, WE call upon the Government to invest in Public Service Campaigns in order to change the prevailing culture of Child Support Avoidance.
To create a WE working group on technology and innovation in support of our core objectives and for a truly transformational politics
Proposed by: The Steering Committee
Data inequality impacts women and diminishes the chances of achieving equal representation. Yet new technologies also offer the opportunity for doing things differently and better.
This conference calls on the steering committee to create a technology and innovation working group to develop not only policy and strategy around the impact and potential of tech as it relates to our core objectives, but to explore ways of harnessing existing technologies and developing new apps and approaches for creating and modelling change within the party and beyond.
The steering committee should ensure a cross-disciplinary range of skills and perspectives by co-opting any policy or programming expertise necessary and inviting volunteers from the membership. The group should report on a quarterly basis to the steering committee.
Calling on the Government to give women equal access to sterilisation as a permanent form of contraception
Proposed by: WE Hove & Portslade
The Women’s Equality Party calls on the Government and the Department of Health to treat women’s choices in terms of permanent contraception through sterilisation on the same terms as they do men’s choices. Health professionals who have concerns around ‘sterilisation regret’, particularly in younger women or those without children, should be educated to understand that research on ‘regret’ among sterilised women is insufficient, and in some cases shows a higher incidence amongst men who have had vasectomies.
The attitude of the UK’s healthcare system towards female sterilisation is based on outdated ideas of women’s ‘biological imperative’ and the idea that, as they age, they will inevitably want children. This contradicts research showing that the number of women having children is reducing. Women who wish to remain childless are forced to take hormone-affecting medication, use intrusive barrier methods, abstain, or run the risk of unwanted pregnancy with the difficult decisions this entails. In contrast, men are able to obtain sterilisation younger and with less considerations around their number of offspring. This is partially because vasectomies are cheaper, are seen as ‘easier’ procedures and are more easily reversible; however, this is because healthcare, still a male-dominated profession, has had a vested interest in men’s health. Women who seek sterilisation have to ‘prove’ their need by going through unsuitable treatments first and are denied agency by being forced to discuss their choice with their male partner. Men face no such requirement.
WE will highlight to Government the need for effective research into sterilisation regret and cheaper, simplified, easily reversible, permanent solutions for women. While this research is being undertaken, we will call on the Government to alter guidance on sterilisation criteria, to ensure both genders are given parity and decisions are made on capacity rather than expectations based upon a person’s gender.
From STEM to STEAM
Proposed by: Rebecca Manson-Jones
WE’s equal education policy on page 17 states:
“All teenagers should study either English or one STEM subject up to the age of 18 through GCSEs, A-levels or other qualifications.”
We propose:
1) to change this wording to:
“All teenagers should study a balanced STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering Arts & Design and Maths) curriculum to age of 16 through GCSEs and other UK qualifications.”
and to add:
“The education system privileges and rewards subjects where women and girls are under-represented. The English government’s emphasis on STEM puts girls into a deficit situation and further devalues in the national narrative the skills and disciplines in which they often excel.
- WE will support and promote all young people in studying sciences and technology and pursuing careers in these areas, and encourage everyone to understand arts, humanities and social sciences not as soft options but as rigorous, challenging and life-enhancing qualifications.
- WE will work with schools and training institutions to address their gender bias in subject pathway.
- WE will require schools to engage with parents about the life chances and breadth of careers open to young people in the 21st century when they study a balanced curriculum.”
2) To ensure that education becomes equal, we propose this addition to the Equal Education policy:
“The English Government has introduced the so-called E-Bacc which restricts subject choices and student pathways, and encourages prioritisation of resources and teaching posts within state schools to STEM subjects, creating inequality of life chances.
WE call on:
- the English Government to scrap the E-Bacc* and to introduce a STEAM curriculum in secondary schools to the age of 16.
- the Assemblies of Northern Ireland and Wales, and Scotland’s Parliament to formalise a STEAM curriculum to the age of 16.”
* Education is devolved in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland
Extending and enforcing gender pay gap reporting
Proposed by: WE Policy Committee
The Women’s Equality Party (WE) calls on the government to:
- extend the gender pay gap reporting requirement in England, Wales and Scotland to
smaller businesses, organisations and public bodies of 20 employees or more, in line with Scotland’s Public Sector Equality Duty which already states that public authorities with 20 or more employees must publish their gender pay gap data;
and reaffirms its call on the government to:
- require gender pay gap reporting to be broken down by age, employment status, ethnicity, race, disability, industry and working hours, as well as gathering data on staff retention at all stages, including during and after parental leave;
- direct HM Revenue and Customs to gather data through PAYE and Self-Assessment forms on gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability status, industry and working hours. This data should be anonymised and published in an open data format to allow researchers to develop a comprehensive understanding of disparity in pay.
WE call on all companies reporting a pay gap of 5% or more to:
- publish further data on their pay gap, such as gender distribution by grade/equal work groups, male and female staff by age and length of service, and part-time staff by gender by grade, as well as their human resources (HR) policies, including their parental leave policy;
- publish an action plan with clear timescales, outlining how the gap will be addressed. This mandatory plan would be expected to include changes to policies and practices that contribute to the pay gap.
WE will review if, after three years of reporting, pay gap figures are not reducing, and assess whether enforcement by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is sufficient and consider whether this responsibility should be moved to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
A Feminist Foreign Policy
Proposed by: Sophie Walker
The Women’s Equality Party Conference notes:
With deep concern, the rising tide of nationalism that is fuelling isolationism, protectionism and militarism across the world.
The Women’s Equality Party Conference believes:
Unchecked, these trends will lead to even greater gender inequality and human rights abuses and make violent confrontations within and between states more likely.
The Women’s Equality Party Conference calls for:
- Government to create a Department for Peace and Freedom that would govern the work of the Foreign Office, Department of International Trade and the Home Office and promote:
a) Women’s equality at home and abroad as a universal aim and to thus overturn policies based on false distinctions, patriarchy and colonial oppression;
b) An inclusive, anti-discriminatory approach to future foreign policymaking so that, for example, post-Brexit trade and immigration policy is created with an understanding of how it will impact women;
c) An anti-militarist approach committed to all alternative means of dispute resolution, in particular supporting women’s networks dedicated to conflict prevention and resolution;
d) Gender budgeting and the allocation of resources to deliver on the gender equality promise of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by 2030;
2. The Women’s Equality Party Policy Committee to establish a working group to develop policy motions to be voted on by members via electronic decision-making, as provided for in article 4.11.1 of the WE constitution
Ensuring that Settled Status will take into account women’s, children’s and vulnerable groups’ needs
Proposed by: WE Islington Branch
The Women’s Equality Party notes that the publication on 21st June 2018 of the Statement of Intent of the EU Settlement Scheme has missed the target of securing the rights of all EU citizens after the UK leaves the European Union.
The Statement of Intent published by the Government doesn’t answer the questions raised by EU citizens regarding vulnerable citizens, legal aid, timeline for applying, or rights to appeal.
This risks creating two groups of EU citizens: one able to provide all the right documentation and another one struggling to prove their rights to remain, which would have a disproportionate impact on women.
The Women’s Equality Party calls upon the UK Government to:
- Secure the rights of EU citizens through a separate protocol attached to the Withdrawal Agreement. This would prevent the problems of immigration rules written in secondary legislation which is prone to frequent changes which rarely attract parliamentary scrutiny and demand an open and transparent debate on the future of our EU citizens in our country
- Secure the rights of at risk and vulnerable citizens by providing a clear and definite answer for all EU citizens who will not be able to provide evidential documentation to prove their 5 years of continuous presence in the country (for instance women victims of human trafficking or domestic abuse, EU children in care or whose parents neglect or are unaware of their own immigration status, carers, citizens with disabilities, citizens with limited capacity, older people living in care, prisoners etc.) and protect the status of the “Zambrano Carer” [rights of a non-EU citizen primary carer of an EU citizen].
- To publish any risk assessment that it has carried out with regards to the settlement scheme in terms of delivery and of people not being documented in time or at all.
Motion to Allow Members and Branches Sufficient Time to Submit Motions to Conference
Proposed by: WE Edinburgh/Lothian Branch and WE Stirling Branch
The Policy of the Women’s Equality Party is ultimately created by the Party’s Members, acting through the Party Conference.
To maximise the potential for Member input to motions at Conference the Women’s Equality Party will amend its Constitution as follows:
1) Insert into the Constitution at the end of the existing subsection 4.8.4 the words ‘The deadline for submission of motions to Party Conference shall be not less than 30 days after the announcement to Members of that deadline; this shall not apply to Special Conferences or to Emergency motions.’
2) Remove the words ‘conference delegates’ in line 3 of the existing subsection 4.8.4 and replace them with the words ‘Party Members’.
Universal free childcare
Proposed by: WE Policy Committee
That conference ratifies the universal childcare policy set out in the WE 2017 manifesto.
WE will offer free childcare all across the UK from the end of paid parental leave at nine months.
Childcare will be centrally funded but where decision-making is in the hands of devolved governments or local authorities, funds will depend on the provision meeting the criteria of being universal and not for profit.
Parents who work non-traditional hours and need more flexible childcare will have the option of a voucher alternative.
Abolish the single payment system of Universal Credit
Proposed by: WE York Branch
WE call upon the Government to abolish the automatic single payment system of Universal Credit (UC) in England and Wales which is increasing women’s vulnerability to financial abuse.
UC replaces Job Seekers Allowance, Income Based Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit with a single payment. Where a couple are in receipt of such benefits they are required to nominate a single bank account for the payment to be made into.
On 20 June 2018 women’s groups including the Women’s Budget Group, Surviving Economic Abuse and the End Violence Against Women Coalition published a report “Universal Credit and Financial Abuse: Exploring the links” raising concerns that the single payment system risks facilitating financial abuse with the loss of clearly labelled child payments which are a lifeline for many women in abusive relationships.
Mary-Ann Stephenson, Director of the Women’s Budget Group, said
“Combining payments [...] risks giving abusive men even more power and control over their partners. It may send more money than ever to wallet and not to purse, undermining women’s economic independence and their ability to leave abusive relationships”.
The Scottish Government has decided to allow for separate payments as a matter of course and WE call upon the Government of England and Wales to do the same AND:
1) Gather evidence on the nature and extent of applications for separate payments to date for Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and UC;
2) During the remainder of the UC roll-out, test out different ways of making a separate payment to each member of a couple, as recommended by a Parliamentary Committee in 2015;
3) Keep each partner’s online UC account separate so that the accounts are only linked by the Department for Work and Pensions;
4) Produce an updated equality impact assessment of the effects of UC.
Gender recognition act
Proposed by: Amy Killen
The Women’s Equality Party recognises the damage done by socially constructed gender stereotypes and supports changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2004. The Women’s Equality Party supports changes to the current process by which transgender people are able to receive legal recognition of their changed gender.
The Women’s Equality Party supports a process of legal recognition of changed gender which does not require medical reports nor two years’ worth of documentation but a process of self-determination of gender. The Women’s Equality Party supports legal recognition of non-binary people.
The Women’s Equality Party calls on the Governments and administrations of the UK to make the following changes to the current process as they revise the Gender Recognition Act 2004:
- Change to the requirement to submit two supporting medical reports, one of a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and one detailing treatment received. Change to the requirement to submit documentation to prove the person has lived as their acquired gender for two years. Instead require a self-determination process to change gender and to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate and new birth certificate.
- Remove the requirement of spousal consent to obtain legal recognition of changed gender for married people.
- Allow people to change their gender to a third gender option as well as to male and female.
A policy on Health and Social Care
Proposed by: The Steering Committee
The Women’s Equality Party:
- Noting that the Party resolved, at its Conference in 2016, to add a seventh objective to provide for equality in healthcare;
- Acknowledging the work achieved by the working group since then;
- Noting also that social care is failing and WE need to adopt policies on this issue as a matter of priority,
resolves:
- To adopt the Equality in health policy document as amended in response to consultation with members and as provided to conference..
- For conference to elect a Policy spokesperson and a Movement Builder on Healthcare.
- That the adoption of Equality in Health requires the development of social care policies to be incorporated in it that should:
- match investment in physical infrastructure with investment in social infrastructure;
- adopt a long-term gender-sensitive evidence-based strategy of investment in social care on the basis that it results in significant savings in other areas, not least the NHS;
- reinstate critical frontline services for people with disabilities, and review future needs;
- incorporate the design and funding of a workforce strategy.
Conference directs the Policy Committee to establish a Social Care working group to develop a wider social care policy that will be approved by members via electronic decision-making in 2019 (as set out in the WE Constitution under Article 4.11.1 when decision-making by members is required between Party Conferences) and incorporated into our Equality in Health policies.
- To amend the Constitution of the Women's Equality Party to reflect these changes.
Specifically:
- to add a seventh Core Objective to paragraph 2.2.2 of the Constitution that reads 'WE will pursue equal health care and equal social care.'
- to amend clause 7.6.1 (i) and 7.6.1 (ii) from 'six' policy spokespeople and 'six' policy movement builders to 'seven' in each case.
Housing motion
Proposed by: Pamela Ritchie
WE call for the government to review the definition of housing affordability to reflect:
- The gender, ethnicity and disability pay gaps.
- That lone parents, the majority of whom are women, and their children are affected by housing and child benefit caps and lack of access to secure, long-term housing.
- The impact of the bedroom tax on caring responsibilities.
- Survivors of domestic abuse, for whom the lack of access to safe, affordable housing is the single biggest barrier to leaving abusive relationships.
We acknowledge that there is no silver bullet to fixing the current situation; we need to work towards being able to supply the right homes in the right places that people can afford. This means looking at all areas of the housing market from social, affordable and private rental to shared ownership and traditional home ownership.
To start to redress these imbalances, we call on the government to:
- Unfreeze housing benefit and remove the under-occupancy penalty and two child benefit cap (both already done in Scotland).
- Halt plans in England to move funding for refuges into supported housing.
- Overhaul private renting practices and increase the average length of tenancies.
- Scrap the viability rule, which allows developers to challenge the amount of affordable homes that are targeted, based on profits.
- Return right-to-buy receipts to local authorities to reinvest in social housing in England and Northern Ireland.
Making equal pay and equal caregiving a reality in the modern labour market
Proposed by: WE Policy Committee
WE call on the government to reform section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 in order to achieve equal pay and equal caregiving, in a practical and effective way, in the modern labour market.
Section 1(2) should be amended to require the statement of initial employment particulars to be provided to the employee or candidate for employment “at the time at which the offer of employment is made by the employer to the employee”, instead of “not later than two months after the beginning of the employment”.
Section 1(4) should be amended to impose an additional requirement on all employers to inform all employees in the statement of initial employment particulars what maternity and parental rights are offered under the contract of employment, including attendance at ante-natal care and adoption appointments, maternity leave, maternity pay, paternity leave, paternity pay, shared parental leave, shared parental pay, adoption leave, adoption pay, unpaid parental leave, and flexible working, and any non-contractual policies must also be provided.
A new subsection should be added to section 1 to require all employers with over 250 employees to publish on their company website their policies for employees on maternity and paternity rights including attendance at ante-natal care and adoption appointments, maternity leave, maternity pay, paternity leave, paternity pay, shared parental leave, shared parental pay, adoption leave, adoption pay, unpaid parental leave, and flexible working.
A motion to protect the long-term sustainability of the NHS
Proposed by: Sophie Walker
The Women’s Equality Party Conference:
Notes the development of a seventh policy objective on Equality in Health;
Notes that the long-term sustainability of the NHS is a deeply gendered political issue;
Believes the recommendations made by Lord Patel’s cross-party committee comprise a good and practicable way forward;
Therefore calls on the government to adopt the following in respect of England and Wales:
- Create an Office for Health and Care Sustainability, that will stand independent of government but report directly to Parliament, to identify the healthcare needs of a changing and ageing population, and write a long-term staffing and funding plan to match.
- Ensure NHS funding rises at least as fast as GDP for ten years after 2020; focus particularly on addressing salaries of low-paid staff; commission an independent review of pay policy with a particular regard to its impact on morale and retention of health and care staff.
- Move adult social care budgets into the Department of Health and Social Care and ensure that social care funding increases are, as a minimum, aligned with the rate of increase for the NHS.
- Undertake a bureaucracy and regulation review of the NHS that includes a strategy for uptake of technology and innovation, in order to promote best practice and administration.
- Maintain a tax-funded, free-at-the-point-of-use model to deliver health services now and in the future.
Delivering Nil Cap Limit on Local Authorities’ Sexual Entertainment Venues Policies
Proposed by: Sheffield branch of the Women’s Equality Party
The Women’s Equality Party’s 2018 Party Conference notes the Westminster Government's legislation - Policing and Crime Act 2009 - enables local authorities in England and Wales to adopt a zero or “nil cap” policy, for their local authority area on strip/lap dancing clubs, known as sexual entertainment venues (SEVs).
Legislation differs in Scotland and is covered by the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, amended by the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015.
Local Authorities (LAs) across the UK have a statutory duty to consider the impact of these venues on everyone under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 in the form of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
SEV legislation changed in 2009 to allow local people more a voice in the decision-making process and enable LAs to set a cap on the number of SEVs in their area if they wished. This cap can be any number, including zero – known as a “nil cap”.
The Women’s Equality Party calls upon the Westminster Government to:
- Produce clear Home Office guidance on both England and Wales, and Scotland legislation regarding SEVs so that local authorities clearly understand their powers under the legislation
- Disseminate the relevant guidance to all local authorities Licensing Committees in the UK
The Women’s Equality Party calls upon all LAs to:
- Ensure they fulfil their Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) by considering the impact of any sexual entertainment venues on all people within their jurisdiction in line with the outcome of the Judicial Review against Sheffield City Council in June 2018
The Women’s Equality Party calls upon all England and Wales local authorities to:
- Use their power under the Policing and Crime Act 2009 to adopt a nil cap SEV policy.
The Women’s Equality Party will support any local authority wishing to adopt a nil cap policy.
Protecting Migrant Domestic Workers against Abuse and Servitude
Proposed by: WE Islington Branch
The Women’s Equality Party reaffirms its commitment to end violence against women and girls.
There are over 18,000 Migrant Domestic Workers in the UK, 75% of whom are women, who experience unfair working conditions as well as abuse (physical, psychological and sexual) because of a punitive visa system that ties the domestic workers to their employers. Despite strong opposition that it would institutionalise abuse, the Government made significant changes to the domestic worker’s visa in April 2012. The changes meant that Migrant Domestic Workers coming to the UK were tied to their employer for a maximum of six months, with no right to renew or extend their visa beyond this time. In April 2016, after a long campaign, the Government made limited changes to the visa system, accepting that workers should be allowed to leave their employer without being criminalised — but only during the period of their six-month visa. A recognised victim of trafficking can increase the length of their visa for up to two years.
The Women’s Equality Party calls upon the Government to:
- Restore the rights of Migrant Domestic Workers to the pre-2012 system and end this form of modern slavery.
- Allow Migrant Domestic Workers to renew their work visa annually from the UK and build five continuous years of presence in the country, which will open rights to Indefinite Leave to Remain.
- Introduce mandatory group information meetings for workers who remain in the UK for more than 42 days to ensure that they are aware of their rights to withdraw their labour and change employer if they are in an abusive working relationship.
Provision for Parental-Engagement Programmes in Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
Proposed by: WE Camden
The Women’s Equality Party conference notes that:
Parents are the missing link in their children’s relationships and sex-education learning – and sex education at school is reinforced and implemented well if it’s also developed at home through parental engagement.
The Women’s Equality Party calls on the Department for Education to allocate schools in England and Wales a minimum of three hours a month of government-funded parental-engagement programmes.
Explicit Inclusion of Video Games in WE Policy on Equality in the Media
Proposed by: Caroline Hunt
On page 27 of the Policy Document, under the heading “Sexualisation and violence against women”, add the following policy:
“Video games specifically using violence against women as a selling point, whether sexualised or otherwise, should not be sold by mainstream vendors, offline or online”
On page 27 & 28 of the Policy document, under the heading “Representing the people”, add the following policy:
“WE will require game developers in the UK to take real steps to address the lack of representation 8 of women, BAME and LGBTQ people, in creative teams and at the top of the industry.”
The case for widening participation in elections
Proposed by: WE Milton Keynes
The Women’s Equality Party’s second Conference notes that for the 2017 UK General Election, the reported 69% high voter turnout belies the fact that, still, 14.5 million of registered voters did not vote. On top of that, another 3.7 million of the adult population were not registered to vote and around 1.5 million of 16 to 17-year-olds were not eligible to vote.
The Women’s Equality Party’s Equal Representation policy calls for:
- diverse peoples to be better represented and
- people with disabilities to be enabled to participate fully in our democracy.
The Women’s Equality Party Milton Keynes branch move to amend the Women’s Equality Party Policy Document, page 31, to add the paragraph at the bottom of this section between items:
‘Efforts also need to be made to increase the diversity of the women and men elected to better represent the racial and ethnic diversity of the UK and to ensure people with disabilities participate fully in our democracy. Politics itself also needs to change to enable a wider group of people to participate: WE call for changes to the working practices of Parliament, the devolved assemblies and local councils – starting with family-friendly working hours, electronic voting and formal parental leave.’
and
‘Women on Boards’:
‘Finally, efforts are also needed to widen the participation of the population in elections: WE will campaign for change to the electoral system to facilitate maximum participation, including: automatic registration to vote, votes for 16 to 17-year olds and ensuring there are no barriers to voting for vulnerable people and people with a disability by supporting the recommendations from the Electoral Commission’s Report ‘Elections for Everyone.’
Update the Equality Act to include socio-economic status as a protected characteristic
Proposed by: Sellisha Lockyer
WE call upon the government to update the Equality Act 2010 to include ‘socio-economic status’ as a protected characteristic through the introduction of a Socio-economic Status bill in Parliament.
At present there are nine characteristics which are protected under the Equality Act 2010. Socio-economic status was due to be included in the Equality Act under Part 1 but was not enacted by the Conservative Party. Updating the Equality Act to include socio-economic status will improve upon Part 1 as it will have a vast impact – both legally and culturally – on women’s lives, as women experience more societal discrimination and therefore the barrier due to class status is even harder to overcome.
Having ‘socio-economic status’ as a protected characteristic means it would be illegal to discriminate against someone based on their income or class status – but not only that, it would help to change culture. It puts class status on the table as something which should be discussed and considered and will help us to critique systemic classism and institutions that are still part of the ‘old boys club’.
Occupational segregation vastly affects women. For example, in the NHS women make up 89% of nurses and 90% of support staff – roles which pay lower wages. A study coordinated from Imperial College London revealed that ‘low socio-economic status has almost the same impact on health as smoking or a sedentary lifestyle and is associated with a reduced life expectancy’. Having a law that really considers the effect of socio-economic status on our society will mean that women who are at a higher risk of experiencing socio-economic discrimination will receive support both legally and culturally.
Nine months shared parental leave on 90% of pay.
Proposed by: WE Policy Committee
That conference ratifies the shared parental leave policy set out in the WE 2017 manifesto.
WE propose to implement a fully equal system of nine months parental leave at 90% of pay. It will guarantee each parent (including same-sex couples and adoptive parents) three months away from work, with an additional three months they can split in whichever way they want.
The three months will work on a use-it-or-lose-it provision for each parent.
Mothers will still be entitled to a year off work. Statutory pay will remain in place for non-working parents, for those whose earnings are lower than the statutory pay and for those who wish to take longer parental leave.
Single parents should be able to nominate a second caregiver of their choice for this entitlement, and fathers’ or same sex partners’ entitlements should not be reliant on whether a mother is working or not.
Steering Committee Elections
What does the Steering Committee do?
The Steering Committee is the Party’s central decision-making body outside of Party Conferences. It steers the direction of the Party by agreeing strategy, planning ahead and reacting to internal and external factors. It monitors the Party’s activities and outcomes against its mission, aims and objectives, and makes sure the Party’s activities are within the budget it sets and approves each year. It is also the body with the sole discretion to decide when and where WE stand candidates in elections.
Who should put themselves forward?
The Party needs a breadth of experience, skills and expertise in these important strategic roles. Committee members need to be able to debate, listen, analyse and work together to reach consensus about Party direction. If you are committed to steering and growing our movement of political activists, to making it diverse and representative of all women, if you have the time and energy WE need, please put yourself forward.
Please note: the deadline for applications for steering committee roles has now passed.
Policy Committee Elections
What is the Policy Committee?
The Policy Committee is made of the spokesperson and movement builder for each of our six policy areas, plus Scotland. Policy on our seventh area, equal health care, is being developed by a sub-committee working with the Party Leader and Chief of Staff.
What does a policy spokesperson do?
Working with the Party Leader and central staff, as well the movement builder in their area, spokespeople spread our Party’s policies and aims as far and wide as possible through media engagement, events, branches and networks. They take a lead on the policy area they represent, always looking for opportunities for engagement and keeping abreast of political and sector developments in their area.
What does a policy movement builder do?
Working with the Party Leader and central staff, as well the spokesperson in their policy area, movement builders focus on developing the relationships and networks with individuals and organisations working in their policy area, to build support and momentum for our work. From small grass roots organisations to national bodies, and including our branches and members with an interest in the policy area, this role is to connect and inspire people with our policies and related campaigns.
Please note: the deadline for applications for policy committee roles has now passed
Meet the Policy Committee Candidates
The Policy Committee is made of the spokesperson and movement builder for each of our six policy areas, plus Scotland. Policy on our seventh area, equal health care, is being developed by a sub-committee working with the Party Leader and Chief of Staff.
Conference delegates will be able to cast their vote at conference. Find out more about 2018's candidates below.
ROLE: Equality in Health - Spokesperson
Sarah Myers
I’ve spent a long time in and out of hospitals and understand what it feels like to be on the receiving end of health care. It doesn’t work well for everybody. Even some of the language used to describe our ‘issues’ dismisses us by belittling our conditions. I now use a wheelchair yet am still urged to highlight the difficulties that women face from menstruation to menopause, and all points either side. The current scientific/medical model’s need for prediction and repetition isn’t helpful - we aren’t all neatly predictable, are we?
I’m a trained actor and performance tutor so I’ve had plenty of practice speaking out, as well as eliciting others’ skills, and being able to spot weaknesses. As a qualified tourist guide I have analysed and condensed complex information (like the historical, cultural, and political habits of the British), into fun fare - so can get a point across palatably and succinctly!
I hope you agree my ‘lived experience’ of health challenges, along with my skills and desire to contribute to WEP make me a strong candidate, and you’ll vote for me.
Rebecca Manson Jones
I’ve been active in WEP since joining as a founder-member: a candidate three times, most recently in the Lewisham Council Elections where I polled 26.1% that’s 1 in 4 voters. I’ve been advocating for WEP on panels with my local MP, in radio interviews, at hustings with Mayoral and Council candidates. I’ve spoken in the Houses of Parliament about my personal experiences of miscarriage, IVF and childlessness.
I’m excited about getting our brilliant Equal Health and Medical Research Policy into the public domain, getting the media and other political parties to take notice, our members and branches to embrace it. I’m well-placed to do this because I’ve been part of the working group that created it. I understand and can draw on the deep knowledge and breadth of research that underpins it and that informs its intersectionality and inclusivity.
I will work with the movement builder to ensure that we’re in contact with branches across the UK to keep the policy representative. I will be proactive in seeking out diverse voices to speak as well as me. I will the give the task the time and focus it needs to get our Health Policy the attention it deserves.
Laura Godfrey Isaacs
I am an artist, midwife and feminist academic, who Co-Chaired the WEP Health Policy Steering Group, and wrote content for Health in the Manifesto at the last election.
I worked in the arts as a feminist academic, producer & activist and trained to be a midwife in 2013. I now work as a community midwife at a busy London hospital with a diverse population, including the biggest centre for pregnant women seeking asylum. I regularly speak at midwifery and health conferences, work with the Nursing & Midwifery Council and The Royal College of Midwives, write, blog, and am active on Twitter.
My personal experiences include recent treatment for breast cancer, and supporting my younger daughter who was born deaf and with medical complications. My oldest daughter is active in the LGBTQ+ community and her partner is a Trans Man, which helps me build understanding of the health challenges faced by this community. My mother is 90yrs old which gives me an insight into the challenges of old age.
I would love to continue work on the Equal Health Policy, and use my knowledge and experience in healthcare to promote the policies and values of WEP.
Annie Rose
My name is Annie Rose; I am standing for Spokesperson in Equality in Healthcare and Medical Research. I have been nursing in one form or another since I was 18: as a healthcare assistant, in civvies and in the Reserves, in A&E, ITU, Sexual Health, and now Research.
I see inequality in healthcare delivery and amongst healthcare workers. We still see hospital Gender Pay Gap data that, despite women outnumbering man in all quartiles, we are paid less than men across all the quartiles.
Today, I continue to see studies being carried out that base their inclusion and exclusion criteria on outdated guidelines that perpetuate the idea that women and men present the same symptoms. Recent studies have reinforced what we know and seem to be doing nothing about: women’s symptoms are downgraded, ignored, or missed, because we aren’t changing our practise, or we aren’t empathising enough with our patients, or because we haven’t done the research that would support our care of female patients.
If elected, I will work with the committee to develop and disseminate a robust policy that demands and supports change in current and future healthcare, helping the whole population achieve an optimal state of health.
ROLE: Equality in Health - Movement Builder
Meera Feldman
I’m on a mission to improve postnatal care for women in the UK from a grass roots level. The physical, psychological and social impact on a woman after having children is huge, yet the postnatal period in the UK is one of the most neglected and under-resourced areas in health care. This key life-stage is where I believe some of the biggest inequalities in health care become apparent.
Having built connections with the NHS, Public Health and leading figures in obstetrics, midwifery and the wellness space, we’re working on ways in which we can improve support for women in the postnatal period. This includes empowering through modern day, evidence-based education, focussing on self-care (including regular women's health checks), building strong community peer support groups and providing practical hands on help at home. I’m also committed to finding robust strategies to promote continuity of care, to find a more personalised approach to women’s health and to work with policy makers on making the language used in maternity and women's health more positive and encouraging.
An Economics graduate and mum of two with 20 years at a senior level in advertising, marketing and the digital world.
Corrinne Gamble
I wish to stand as movement builder, health equality on the policy committee. I have worked with women's health for nearly thirty years and in that time have seem some changes for the good, but far too little, far too late. The referendum in Ireland confirmed what we have known for a long time, women can be trusted to make decisions about their own body, but, in England they need to take the medication in a clinic, behind a curtain and possibly miscarry on the journey home. Can this be justified?
I worked for years as an advocate for women who wanted to home birth, women who had experienced the force of the medical hierarchy, many with PTSD after previous births. These women weren't being awkward, They genuinely needed to birth in their own environment without being subjugated to the role of patient. I lost count of the number of times male doctors walked into the birthing room (after transferring in) and addressed only the partner, nothing to the woman at all, she lost her right to speak, have an opinion, make choice simply because she was pregnant. I don't want this for my daughters.
ROLE: Ending VAWG spokesperson
Alexia Pepper de Caires
I want to be your spokesperson for ending violence against women and girls, because our experience of violence is fundamental to the imbalance of women’s power in our world.
This year, as the #metoo movement reached across my social media, networks and into mainstream media, I witnessed first hand the power shift in speaking up. I also discovered that as an active member of the Women’s Equality Party, I too could speak out and use my voice. Not in the way that society would like me to – politely, quietly, apologetically – but LOUDLY. PROUDLY. DEMANDINGLY.
I am a changed woman for speaking up about the harms to women experienced in my workplace, and for challenging us all to hold men to account. To share my analysis I interviewed on TV, radio and in print media, as well as speaking to MPs, regulators and influencers. Beyond the personal, I now speak out with other women to demand deeper reform, and work intersectionally to express compounded experiences of oppression against women.
As spokesperson, I offer my intuitive communication skills, intellectual analysis and heartfelt passion to look at the root causes of violence, and a challenging voice to all complicity and apologists.
Katherine Trigg
LETS BREAK the PATTERN with HELP, ADVICE and EDUCATION
My story started 35 years ago, but actually it started even further back than that. Abuse ran in my family, my dear sweet loving grandma was hit by my grandpa. My brothers were abusive to my sister and myself. It was the ‘norm’ for us. Any relationship after that you automatically become a co dependant and attract what you feel is a ‘safe’ relationship. You attract the ‘norm’, your ‘norm’. Toxic abusive relationships. Educating children (teenagers) in behavioural patterns, teaching them about personality traits, what is abuse? What to look out for? Monitoring children that have witnessed abusive parents.
A system that alerts the person has been to court for domestic abuse.
Make it easier for the victims to report the abuser, because they are too scared to because of incrimination from the abuser. Thirty three years ago, domestic violence meant you were being beaten ‘only’ now domestic violence thank fully means the following,
- psychological
- physical
- sexual
- financial
- emotional" Including coercive and controlling behaviour which is now a criminal offence.
Have we come along way in those thirty-three years to protect women and children?
ROLE: Ending VAWG movement builder
Tabitha Morton
I’m Tabitha Morton and I want you to vote for me as your movement builder for ending violence against women and girls (VAWG).
I believe that ending VAWG is the number one priority to ensure equality for all women. In the Liverpool City Region (LCR) we had no strategy to end VAWG, so as part of my campaign for LCR Mayor this was my number one priority. Once elected, the Mayor asked me to lead the work on developing this strategy and I have since worked with his office, Merseyside Police, the Police Commissioner, six local authorities and most importantly the brilliant specialist organisations working to end VAWG. They need both funding and political will to deliver the solutions they know can end this scourge and is what our party can do—we can bring pressure whilst illustrating how we end VAWG with positive action.
I want to bring together the great work WE branches are doing around the country and my LCR experience along with the phenomenal specialist services to implement a tailored UK-wide strategy to end VAWG. I can’t do this alone so vote for me and join me on this journey to end VAWG.
Matt Richards
Full disclosure, I am a straight, white, cis male but I am passionate about ending Violence Against Women and Girls and I want to be as effective an ally as I can.
If elected, I will focus on education and training to improve awareness of VAWG issues and provide tools for individuals and organisations to combat VAWG themselves. I want to create a regular and consistent dialogue about VAWG issues in places of education and work to encourage people to acknowledge the problem of VAWG and their responsibility to make it stop. It is vital to stress the diversity of victims of VAWG and that they must all be protected and that those who aid or engage with any victims are able to understand and empathise with all victims.
When I was at the University of Birmingham I was on the Badminton Team Committee as the PR Representative and was captain of several teams. I was also the coach of the University B Squad for 2 years. These positions provided me with extensive experience of teaching, learning, creating programmes, conflict resolution, empathy and responsibility. I believe I can transfer these skills into helping end VAWG.
Thank you for your consideration.
ROLE: Equal Parenting and Caregiving spokesperson
Celine Thomas
I’m the leader of the Tunbridge Wells branch and last year I stood as our candidate for the County Council and was privileged to stand for a second time in the General Election. Both were invaluable experience and I enjoyed every chance to spread our party’s fantastic policies.
Equal parenting and caregiving is the central piece on which everything else hangs. It is the most entrenched issue, the most costly to each of us and to all of society. Like many of you, it’s something I’ve experienced personally: seeing my mum as a single parent, and later, carer to her mother and as a parent myself.
My work has been as a lawyer for central government, which has given me useful insight into the political machinery. Thanks to our brilliant team, I have frequently spoken on BBC radio, contributed to local press and was recently on BBC Sunday Politics (South East) to debate against Maria Caulfield MP.
I’m constantly learning and loving every moment. I have a passion for politics and for challenging the old excuses offered by the mainstream. The best contribution I can make to our wonderful party is as a voice for change.
Mandu Reid
25% of EU women cite unpaid care work as their reason for not being in the paid labour force, compared to 3% percent of men. It blows my mind that in 2018 it is still taken for granted that women will make the lion’s share of sacrifices to care for children, the elderly and others who need social care – whereas the same assumptions are not routinely made about men. The value of unpaid care provided by UK women is around £77 billion annually. I want to represent WEP as spokesperson for Equal Parenting and Caregiving to: 1. Expose the outrageous system that holds women back, prevents many from fulfilling their potential and perpetuates systemic, structural gender inequality, including the gender pay-gap. 2. Give WEP’s fully-costed policy solutions the amplification and influence they deserve. I am a passionate and persuasive communicator. I’ve worked in government in strategy and social policy roles and have founded a charity that has advocacy and thought leadership at its heart. ‘Change’ is a buzz word in politics. But WE’re calling for more than ‘change’, WE’re calling for radical transformation. I would be honoured to represent WEP in this key policy area.
ROLE: Equal Representation movement builder
Lynne Devereux
My name is Lynne and I’m a fierce advocate for social, political, legal and economic rights for women equal to those of men. Seriously, what kind of person doesn’t want this?
I joined the WEP because I want to make a change so here I am putting myself forward as movement builder for Equal Representation. (I would consider a role as Spokesperson).
I’ve encountered sexism all my life: harassment at work, treats of sexual violence on the streets, unfair pay because I have boobs and I’ve had enough. For women to have a voice it has to start with Equal Representation
I graduated with a degree in politics and initially worked for MPs in the UK Parliament where I gained parliamentary election and Cabinet office experience and learnt how to get issues on the political agenda. Then moved on to sales management where I mastered the art of negotiation – skills that will come in handy when we’re up against ‘pale male and stale’ politicians in power.
I believe that my keen interest in public affairs and ‘can do’ positive attitude equips me for this role where I will enjoy inspiring people related to the work of the party.
Pamela Ritchie
I am passionate about representation, I want to see leaders in all areas of life reflecting the diversity they represent. Until you can see yourself reflected within an organisation, it is so much harder to feel a valued part of that community.
As a campaigner for proportional representation with Make Votes Matter, I have worked locally with members of all parties to discuss strategy. I also attending alliance building events – discussing national plans to bring about change with cross party MPs, lords and decision makers, as well as some of the leading voices in electoral reform.
Having worked in a male dominated environment throughout my career, I have learnt from experience value of what could be achieved by having more women in decision making positions in the work place.
With WEP, I have gained new skills through volunteering at branch level, meeting with people from different organisations, speaking at events and standing as a candidate in the local elections.
If I am elected, I will be an approachable member of the committee, making myself available to branches and individual members, to listen to you and bring you updates on progress. Together our voices can make equal representation a reality.
Helen Shay
I joined WEP because women’s equality is not just right, but also the answer to fixing our broken society.
As a founder member, I became enthused by politics for the first time, standing in local elections for Harrogate Stray Ward and gaining almost 7% of the vote. Currently, I’m Branch Press Relations Officer.
Throughout my career as a solicitor, I’ve championed equality and fairness, for example, acting as an adjudicator with an ombudsman’s office and now practising equality law in my current role as General Counsel with a Russell Group University. My voluntary work has included serving on a CPS Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel and currently as Trustee for a local Homeless Project. I’m also on a Law Society Committee aiming to improve representation/diversity within my own profession.
As Equal Representation Movement Builder, I’ll connect and develop relationships, drawing upon my professional contacts throughout all the UK, including senior businesswomen (having myself worked in commercial property, financial services, retail and education sectors). I also have access to networks across public sector groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations.
I can bring to the Committee my vision, drive and experience, together with research and communication skills – and, above all, complete commitment.
Jane Whild
At the 2016 WEP Conference I moved from feeling feminist, to doing feminism. I observed that others were as angry as I was at the failures of 'the Patriarchy'; I heard women's stories and was incredibly moved; I discovered appropriate language & ideas with which to express my feelings and engage in the conversations; I realised that when women come together in numbers we have huge potential power; I voted on policies and action designed to end injustice, oppression and violence against women. I pledged to actively strive for an equal society.
This year, has seen me growing the Milton Keynes Branch, cultivating relationships with local groups, and marching! I have travelled to canvass for WEP branches in the local elections. I graduated from the Parliament Project’s national #GetReadyToStand programme which introduced me to diverse, like-minded women around the UK. I also became an Ambassador for 50:50 Parliament’s #AskHerToStand campaign.
I offer passion, leadership and commitment to the Movement Builder for Equal Representation role. I will extend my networks and work with the Equal Representation Spokesperson and Policy Committee to develop policies and campaigns that will attract women to stand for, and to win, positions of power.
ROLE: Equal Education movement builder
Guilene Gaspais
I am a candidate for the movement builder position on Equal Education. I am part of the Islington branch. Although I am a recent member, I have been active in my local area for several years. I have been organising community events and campaigning on local issues.
I started fighting against budget cuts in education 2 years ago to save our local nursery and then joined the national campaign Fair Funding For All Schools.
But not everything can be reduced to a budget question ! There is also the need for a behavioural change in schools in the different ways we treat girls and boys. Sometimes it is very subtle; sometimes less so!
I met amazing teachers and headteachers through Fair Funding and realised the amount of fantastic but sometimes isolated initiatives that are deployed in many schools. It would be great to promote them and share them with others, and I am sure our members/teachers will be the best support in this.
The journey started on Equal Education is exciting as what is happening in our schools today is how our society will look like tomorrow and I would like to be part of it.
Emma Reynolds
“Extremists have shown what frightens them most: a girl with a book” Malala Yousafzani
I am an activist, campaigner, professional in adult learning and an individual who has experienced unequal education. As a young girl in a single parent family, relying on free school meals and after school clubs; I am well aware that I have not experienced the advantages won by those in more privileged positions. We know education is not equal; we know girls are affected by their biology, race impacts prospect and treatment, money can afford opportunities that those without cannot. We know 49% of girls have missed a day off school due to their period; that British Caribbean pupils are permanently excluded from school at 3x the rate of White British pupils; and students from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to be in the top 10% attainment in English and Maths at the end of Primary school.
My name is Emma Reynolds. I am the founder of ‘The Blob’, a platform disrupting the conversation about periods; a trustee for S.A.L.V.E International, a Ugandan charity focused on getting kids off the streets and back into education; and I am here to become your Equal Education Movement Builder.
ROLE: Scotland Representative movement builder
David Renton
I am a founding Life Member of the Party, and current Treasurer of the Edinburgh/Lothian Branch. Some of you may have met me at the WE Scottish Conference 2018, or at the first WE UK Conference in Manchester in 2016; I was Treasurer and co-organiser of the former, and co-chair and member of the Agenda Committee for the latter.
I have been on WE teams writing: The Constitution; Conference Standing orders; the WE Scottish Manifesto.
At Elections I was: campaigner and Count Agent at the Scottish Parliament Elections 2016 in Edinburgh/Lothian; Treasurer, campaigner and Election Agent in Stirling for the 2018 General Election.
Outside the Party: I am a Barrister by profession, a Biker by inclination, and a Writer more by perspiration than by inspiration. I have been a Carer, Care worker, and Theatrical Technician. I currently act as Chair of a Disability Charity (Meniere’s Society), and am a Disability Advocate.
Personally: I have been a Feminist for 50 years, and registered disabled for 20 years.
I see the Scottish Movement Builder as spreading the WE voice in Scotland to organisations, individuals and Government, and as advocating within the Party for the special demands facing WE in a devolved Scotland.
Suz Martin
As a public affairs professional, my raison d’être is stakeholder communication.
For the past three and a half years I have been building a career in public affairs, having moved from the private sector into the third sector just this year. I have experience of a myriad of policy areas, from planning and environmental regulation, right through to healthcare, social care and social security.
On a daily basis I will be scrupulously analysing out-dated policies, as well as new policy announcements, with a view to developing policy asks for government – both Scottish and UK. I can be found in the Scottish Parliament and in constituency offices on a regular basis, in addition to the many meetings with civil servants, promoting carefully developed policy positions.
However, the most important part of my role is stakeholder engagement. It is crucial to harness the support of real people, who can provide legitimacy and authenticity to your campaign. That doesn’t mean persuading people to support you; it means listening to people and building positive relationships, so that their experience and knowledge can be reflected in your objectives.
It would be a privilege to utilise my experience in the role of Scotland Movement Builder.
Volunteers for 2018 Conference
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at conference. Please be aware that as we have been overwhelmed by the level of interest, we will therefore not be able to offer volunteer responsibilities to everyone who has expressed interest. To help us allocate roles, please let us know more about you, your availability and your background.
Take the surveyConference Resolutions
WE debated and voted on 22 motions ranging from decriminalising abortion to proportional representation.
Read the full list of resolutions >>
WE elected women and men to our committees and governing bodies as we strengthened our working structures and approved a new Constitution to take us forward into the next chapter of our story.
Congratulations to everyone who has been newly appointed to the Steering Committee and the Policy Committee and thank you everyone who stood as candidates.
Festival of ideas
Festival of Ideas Saturday, 13.00 - 16.00
Lee Chalmers
WE Candidate for the Scottish Parliament in May 2016 and Leadership Consultant
@leechalmers
Lee is a leadership consultant, gender researcher and campaigner. She has been involved in gender equality efforts for a decade, started a women's network, made a film about the future for women and spent three years on the board of The Fawcett Society.
Lee has an MSc in Gender from the London School of Economics and is currently researching a PhD on the connection between online trolling and women's participation in public life at the University of Edinburgh.
In 2015 Lee founded The Parliament Project, to train, mentor and inspire women to run for political office. She stood for election to the Scottish Parliament in May 2016 for the Women's Equality Party.
Role at Party Conference
Lee will speak on the Parliament Project.
Jayne-Anne Gadhia BA, FCA, FCIBS, CBE 
Chief Executive, Virgin Money
@gadhiaj
Jayne-Anne has significant finance and banking experience, built up over a period of almost 30 years. Jayne-Anne’s drive and commitment to customers and to building a better bank, along with her proven ability to build businesses and lead strong management teams, brings significant value to all stakeholders of Virgin Money.
Jayne-Anne is a Non-Executive Director of Business in the Community, and has roles on a number of advisory groups including the Financial Services Advisory Board, the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group, and the FCA Practitioner Panel Advisory Group. Jayne-Anne led a review into the representation of women in senior managerial roles in the financial services industry and published her report in March 2016.
Jayne-Anne trained as an accountant with Ernst & Young (formerly Ernst & Whinney) in 1982, before moving to Norwich Union in 1987, where she was marketing director of Norwich Union’s Unit Trust business. In 1995 she became one of the founders of Virgin Direct before launching the market-leading Virgin One account in 1998. That business was acquired by RBS in 2001, after which Jayne-Anne went on to lead a number of RBS business units, ultimately joining the RBS Retail Executive Board where she was responsible for the RBS Group’s mortgage business. Jayne-Anne rejoined Virgin Money in March 2007.
Role at Party Conference
Jayne-Anne will be addressing Party Conference in the Speak Out for Women session (10.30 - 11.30.
Julia King
Architect
@atjuliaking
Julia is a Venezuelan-British architect and an urban researcher at LSE Cities.
Her work is currently part of a group show in the British Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale that proposes new designs for homes in response to contemporary live-work scenarios.
Julia's research is concerned with housing, sanitation infrastructure, urban planning, and participatory design processes. At LSE Cities she has contributed to ‘Super-diverse streets: Economies and spaces of urban migration in UK cities’ and is currently working on initiatives in India.
She has won numerous awards, including a Holcim Award (2011), SEED Award for Excellence in Public Interest Design (2014); Emerging Woman Architect of the Year (2014) and was short-listed for the World Design Impact Prize (2013) and the Deutsche Bank Urban Age Award (2014).lanning, and participatory design processes. At LSE Cities she has contributed to ‘Super-diverse streets: Economies and spaces of urban migration in UK cities’ and is currently working on initiatives in India.
Julia has taught at the Bartlett School of Architecture, the Architectural Association and the CASS Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design, where she recently completed her PhD-by-practice entitled ‘Incremental Cities: Discovering the sweet spot for making town-within-a-city’ which looked at resettlement colonies in Delhi, India.
Role at Party Conference
Julia will speak at the Festival of Ideas on ‘Future traditions: Women in the built environment’.
Jef McAllister
Managing Partner, McAllister Olivarius
Jef has over three decades of experience in law, business and journalism. After law school he clerked for US District Court Judge Robert F. Peckham, Chief Judge of the Northern District of California. As a lawyer in private practice, he worked for Sidley Austin LLP in New York and represented financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies.
His practice now focuses on representing victims of sexual discrimination, harassment, internet bullying and ‘revenge porn’ in the US and UK. Jef is also a partner of AO Advocates, a related law firm that works for survivors of child sexual abuse. In 2014 and 2015, he was selected as a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyer for his employment and commercial litigation work.
Jef worked for two decades as a journalist, serving as Diplomatic Correspondent, White House Correspondent, Deputy Washington Bureau Chief and London Bureau Chief for TIME Magazine. He wrote over 500 articles for TIME on politics, public policy, diplomacy and law, including many cover stories. He appears regularly on BBC Radio and TV, Sky News, and other international outlets.
Jef graduated summa cum laude from Yale College, and with honours from Yale Law School. He obtained a doctorate in Modern History from the University of Oxford as a Marshall Scholar, worked as a reporter in the Philippines as a Luce Scholar, and is co-author of The Right Hand of Power, the memoirs of U. Alexis Johnson, a senior US diplomat. He served for eight years as Alumni Observer on the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission in London. He is licensed to practice law in New York and Connecticut, and is registered as a foreign lawyer with the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales.
Role at Party Conference
Jef will facilitate the Festival of Ideas at Conference.
Pragna Patel 
Director, Southall Black Sisters
@SBSisters
Pragna Patel is a founding member of the Southall Black Sisters and Women Against Fundamentalism. She worked as a co-ordinator and senior case worker for Southall Black Sisters from 1982 to 1993 when she left to train and practice as a solicitor.
In 2009 she returned to Southall Black Sisters as its Director. Pragna has been centrally involved in some of Southall Black Sisters’ most important cases and campaigns around domestic violence, immigration and religious fundamentalism.
Pragna has also written extensively on race, gender and religion.
Role at Party Conference
Pragna will be leading a session called "After Brexit: reflections on the politics of migration, race and gender".
Dawn Purvis
Northern Ireland Programme Director, Marie Stopes International, former NI Assembly Member
@dawnpurvis
Dawn was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly from March 2007 – May
2011, representing the East Belfast constituency, first as a member of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and subsequently as an independent. Born in Belfast, Dawn joined the P
UP in 1994 and first stood for the party in the elections to the Northern Ireland Forum in 1996. Dawn was involved in various rounds of the peace process negotiations before, during and after the Good Friday Agreement.
After the death of PUP Leader David Ervine in January 2007, Dawn was appointed his successor; following this, she was elected Party Leader and Assembly Member in her own right.
Dawn left politics in 2011 and became Northern Ireland Programme Director for Marie Stopes International (MSI). She opened the first integrated sexual and reproductive healthcare centre in Belfast, the first of its kind on the island of Ireland to offer a range of services which include advice on contraception, STI and HIV screening and early medical abortion within the law. She is currently a self-employed consultant working at home and abroad.
Dawn continues to devote much of her spare time to community and voluntary initiatives aimed at tackling socio-economic disadvantage and exclusion.
Role at Party Conference
Dawn will be speaking on the subject "Trust women: changing the abortion debate in Northern Ireland".
Heidy Rehman, BSc (Hons), FCCA
Founder and Managing Director, Rose & Willard
@RoseandWillard
Heidy Rehman founded and manages Rose & Willard, a fashion-forward, ethically conscious business making fashion-forward and wearable clothes for women, with the emphasis on body confidence. She launched Rose & Willard in September 2014. It took over a year to get going.
Prior to that Heidy spent almost 14 years in the City as an equity research analyst at Citi (previously known as Citigroup), covering such diverse fields as construction, homebuilding, industrials, materials, consumer, leisure, chemicals and others. She worked for the most part in London but spent the last 4.5 years of her career in Dubai.
For the last years of her career, Heidy was top ranked by Extel and Institutional Investor in two sectors – Chemicals and Construction /Industrials. To her knowledge, she is the only person to have been top-ranked in two surveys in two disparate sectors.
Prior to the City Heidy worked in the Civil Service and for the Medical Defence Union.
She did not go to public school. She grew up in a small town in the North East and went to a Comprehensive – hers was the only non-white family there.
Heidy has honours degrees in Maths and Applied Accounting, and is a fully qualified Chartered and Certified Accountant and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants.
Role at Party Conference
Heidy will be speaking on the theme "The power is in the pose… or is it?: the portrayal of women in advertising".
What's happening at conference?
The Women’s Equality Party is gathering in Manchester in November for its first ever Party Conference. Party Conference is not only a fun get together, where you will meet fellow party members, listen to speeches and create new ideas, it is also the supreme decision-making body of the Party.
As a delegate you will have the chance to shape our party structure and help the UK build a better future.