By: Jimmy Allen, Student Voices writer
As Theresa May accepted the Queen’s invitation to form a government on Wednesday 13th July, the Conservative Party stretched their lead over Labour to “2-0” as Cameron humorously put it in his last ever PMQs.
In
fact, I would argue that the score should be perhaps weighted even further in
the Conservatives’ favour. Ever since its creation, Labour has portrayed itself
as the progressive party representing the working classes fighting for their
interests in a political world dictated by the elites. However, as Theresa May
enters No. 10 as the second female prime minister the UK has ever had, the
Conservatives can certainly lay justifiable claim as being the Progressive
Party when it comes to gender and background.
Margaret
Thatcher, the daughter of a green grocer made history when she won the 1979
general election becoming the first female prime minister in the UK’s history.
Needless to say whatever view one holds of her, she and her administration
undoubtedly made her mark on history.
To
this day, despite Labour possessing a number of prominent female MPs none have
been able to achieve ultimate leadership of the party. In recent years, Harriet
Harman has been flying the flag admirably performing as the ‘Acting Leader’ of
the party whilst Labour searched for a successor to Ed Miliband.
Yvette
Cooper and Liz Kendall both ran unsuccessful campaigns for the leadership in
2015. However, the eventual winner’s subsequent dire performance has presented
the opportunity for Angela Eagle to chance her luck this month by launching a
challenge against him.
Ed
Miliband claimed that he wanted to be the first Jewish prime minister; he had
obviously forgotten about Benjamin Disraeli. Born into a Jewish family,
Disraeli’s parents had him christened believing he would stand a better chance
in life. Disraeli chose to embrace his Jewish roots and often remarked on his
Jewishness in the Commons. He would go on to become prime minister twice in the
19th century, whilst coining my favourite political quote as he
reached ‘the top of the greasy pole’.
Lady
Astor stood for the ‘Coalition Conservatives’ when she became the first female
MP to take her seat in 1919. Labour didn’t elect their first female MPs until 4
years later.
But
don’t get me wrong, Labour has made significant strides. It is just that we
have yet to see their cream rise right to the top yet. The Guardian wrote last
year that the 2015 general election witnessed women make up 29% of the intake;
the Labour party itself consisted of 43% women. Cameron’s infamous ‘A-Lists’
helped the Conservatives adopt more female candidates in elections in the years
running up to it.
It
is clear that much work is still required with the number of non-white MPs
sitting in Parliament. In 1987, only 0.6% of the MPs were non-white; this
figure has steadily risen to 6.6% today.
Theresa
May’s cabinet certainly causes intrigue and encouragement (Boris Johnson
aside). The Telegraph states that 70% of her team is state educated; in
particular Justine Greening becomes the first Education Secretary to attend a
comprehensive school. May has appointed 8 female MPs to Cabinet posts, the most
ever for a Conservative government and equals the record set under Blair. Sajid
Javid and Priti Patel also make up the non-white MPs in her team.
The
Labour party has made more regular strides into the realm of progressive
politics, but it is ultimately the Conservatives that have made longer strides
that have counted for more with greater lasting impact.
The Progressive Conservative Party
Reviewed by Student Voices
on
11:39
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Reviewed by Student Voices
on
11:39
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