50:50 Parliament

It has frequently been argued that social movements carry little weight in the policy-making process and are therefore incapable of promoting change.  However, this pessimistic attitude is, more often than not, held by those who fear change.  And those who fear change are oftentimes the people with considerable power and privilege, and perceive social movements to be a threat to their current state of security, status and stability.

Yet, if everyone adopted such an attitude, society would not change and progress would not be possible. 

In Westminster, things are not equal. Women are under-represented as MPs in Parliament, and so women's opinions and voices are not being heard or reflected accurately.  50:50 Parliament is a campaign designed to see more women involved in politics, and DoubleSpeak were very happy to have founder Frances Scott join us for an evening to discuss the importance of gender equality in Parliament. 

If you care about gender equality then sign this petition. It's really quite that simple. All sorts of services to women are being cut at the moment (thanks austerity) (just have a look at the actions of Sisters Uncut and consider the destruction caused by the closure of domestic violence and rape support centres). There are all sorts of issues in society, particularly those concerned with the family, but this is about policy, representation, and building a future which values what women do, not just that of men.

It's about changing the system. It's about challenging the current status quo and improving how everybody relates to politics and discusses social problems.  We're pushing the boundary and asking why women aren't properly integrated.  We need people to challenge the narrative.  We need people to shed light on this issue.  We need to force this issue onto the agenda in order that we can put pressure onto government.  We want women to be integrated into mainstream politics and mainstream parties.  Is it really that big an ask?  We want to inspire, educate, and encourage involvement and understanding. 

Do we want the best?  Yes.  But the best aren't applying.  And the best men probably aren't applying either (cheers incumbency).  We know those in parliament are probably trying their best, but there are many more great people out there, and many brilliant women out there who could change the system for the better.  But we need to find them.  Unless we say we want them there, then we will be stuck with the same old system which has been disproportionately against us. 

We've only just started and we've got an awfully long way to go.  And we need ambassadors and first followers.  Yes, we might appear to be a lone-nut, but we're the people who will spread the message.  The more of us who are actively saying this, the greater the momentum will be.  This is when we reach the vital tipping point and we can reach the critical mass for activism.  And this is when change happens. 

Any campaign which attempts to change the system is questioned and deemed mad. But think back.  A lack of change and societal progression has not been, and is not, the case.  People from all backgrounds have stood up for what they believed in and made a positive impact and contribution to the society we live in today. 

In 1918, after many years of painful and emotionally tormenting protests and rallies, the Suffragette Movement attained its goal.  Women over the age of 30 were enfranchised and had earned the right to vote in national elections.  In 1928, the vote was given to all women over the age of 21, the same age as men.

Sixty years ago, the Civil Rights Movement made its mark.  In ’55 and ’63, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. each stood up and fought for what they knew was right.  Had these people not made a defence for the humanity of people of colour and the need for recognition of rights, legal statutes would not be in place against institutional and social racism.

The LGBTQ movement has fought for sexual equality to be recognised before the law, as well as their right to civil partnerships.  Now they are fighting for the right to marriage.  Rallies such as Gay Pride have allowed the issues of equality and prejudice experienced by people from the LGBTQ community to be expressed in the public domain, which leads to an awareness and greater social support.

These are three of the biggest movements to have emerged in the last century.  Admittedly, sexism, racism and homophobia still, unfortunately, exist in society, but these groups triggered a domino effect of incremental changes.  At the time, they would have felt small, part of a minority, and fearful that no change would come, but they spoke up anyway, and inspired others in the process. The same goes for Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Jane Goodall and Malala Yousafzai.  These people have made a difference to how we live our lives, and the respect we are due, regardless of race, gender or sexuality, in a society that is so fragmented.

50:50 Parliament is here to finish what the Suffragettes started.  It is here to prove that politics is not solely the domain of men, and that women can have a strong voice capable of shaping politics.  Because, at the end of the day, representation shapes the policies.  And if we don’t feel like we are being represented it is because we do not have the right people in parliament.

If we can't start fighting for this in the West then there's little hope.  We're really fortunate to live in a country where we're all capable of voicing our opinions and petitioning for what we believe in.  We can't just say "but patriarchy" because that's nihilistic.  We have the possibility of change.  We have the potential to change the system.  We have to believe we have the power and we can make a positive impact. 

Social movements have power.  But more importantly, we have power.  We have strong, independent voices that can collectively lead to positive social change.

All it takes is one person.

One spark to ignite the flame.

And Frances Scott has been that person.  She has started a campaign which has the potential to drastically shake-up and reshape British politics as we currently know and understand it to be.