Yesterday Mary Macleod MP was joined by Culture Secretary Maria Miller MP and female Conservative politicians to commemorate Emily Davison’s commitment to the struggle for women’s suffrage.
The commemorative photo marks the improvement of Conservative female representation in the House of Commons and supports the ongoing campaign to increase the numbers of women in Parliament and public life led by Mary Macleod MP as part of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Women in Parliament.
Mary commented: “It is vital that we as female Members of Parliament pay tribute to those who fought for democracy for women. We owe so much to women such as Emily Davison who were relentless in their campaign to secure votes for women, paying the ultimate price for what she believed in.”
Emily Davison died on 8th June 1913 after throwing herself in front of the King’s horse at Epsom in an attempt to interrupt the world famous Derby race. She gained a reputation throughout her life as a particularly devoted campaigner in securing votes for women, famously hiding in Parliament during the 1911 census so that her place of residence be given as the House of Commons.
Mary continued: “It is fantastic to see so many Conservative female MPs joining me to recognise the efforts in securing fair representation for women in parliament. The campaign to create a full and fair democracy is not over and I, as Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Women in Parliament am committed to ensure we continue to increase the numbers of women in public life, as well as improving women’s role in the workplace.”
Photo: Female Conservative MPs at the Emmeline Pankhurst statue in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster
From left to right :
Pauline Latham MP, Dr Sarah Wollaston MP, Karen Bradley MP, Mary Macleod MP, Fiona Bruce MP, Nicky Morgan MP, Margot James MP, Anne Milton MP, Amber Rudd MP, The Rt. Hon Maria Miller MP, Tracey Crouch MP, The Rt. Hon Caroline Spelman MP, Sarah Newton MP, Jackie Doyle-Price MP, Sheryll Murray MP, Rebecca Harris MP, Nadine Dorries MP, Caroline Dinenage MP, Heather Wheeler MP, Eleanor Laing MP
An additional 28 female Conservative MPs were not pictured due to parliamentary work