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Campaign for Gender Balance

Ros Gordon

It's easy to agree that there are too few women MPs, but if you want to change that, what can you do?

The Campaign for Gender Balance brings together people in the Lib Dems who want to make a difference. Whether you are a man or a woman, we need your help. Sign up to receive updates from us (see below) and support our work. Encourage women you know who would be good candidates to bite the bullet and go for it - and let us know about them so we can offer support every step of the way.

If you are a woman thinking about your next steps in politics, get in touch with us and we will talk you through the processes, giving advice, training and practical help. We can increase women's representation - with your help.

Ros Gordon

Chair, Campaign for Gender Balance

If you would like to sign up for our monthly email newsletter, including training information, candidate selection updates and tips from senior Party figures, please send a blank email to genderbalance-subscribe@lists.libdems.org.uk

We have added donation buttons at the top right hand side of the page. We encourage you to make either one off donations or subscribe to give £2 a month. We really appreciate any donations that you make. Thank you!

"CGB runs excellent training sessions at Party conferences - an inspiring and valuable resource" "The Campaign for Gender Balance weekend really made a huge difference to me in terms of understanding the challenge ahead, knowing what support I would receive, making a lot of useful contacts and friends and above all being encouraged to go for it!" "CGB is a support mechanism - it's about having someone there to ask the right questions and help you to realise your potential" "CGB support and mentoring has helped me to get where I am today" "I found the training weekend informative and supportive - it has given me even greater confidence in my role as PPC"

Recent updates

  • Sign the MP job-sharing e-petition
    Article: Nov 9, 2011

    A Women's Institute member has started an e-petition in favour of MP job-shares. If you would like to add your signature follow this link: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/17076

  • Family-friendly working: will MPs practice what they preach? - fringe event at Autumn Conference
    Article: Nov 9, 2011

    Chaired by Dinti Batstone, Vice-Chair of CGB, the fringe looked at whether MPs could job share and how Parliament could be more family-friendly. The panel of speakers included Lynne Featherstone, MP, Minister for Equalities; Sarah Jackson OBE, CEO of Working Families; Anna Bird, CEO of Fawcett Society; and Maggy Pigott CBE, a retired job-sharing senior civil servant.

  • Assessors Recruitment
    Article: Jul 11, 2011

    The Candidates' Office are currently recruiting assessors for the parliamentary candidate approval process, and are committed to ensuring that the pool of assessors is diverse and representative of the wider population. If you would like to find out more about being an assessor or request the Assessor Job Description and the application form please contact candidates@libdems.org.uk.

  • Becoming a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate
    Document: Jun 2, 2011
    214.83 KiB drawing or desktop publishing document
  • Could you be an MP?
    Page: Jun 2, 2011

    Could you be an MP?

    Have a look at the steps you need to take in order to become an MP.

    • APPROVAL
    • SELECTION
    • ELECTION

    Approval

    as Candidate for Westminster

    Selection

    as Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC)

    Election

    as Member of Parliament

    Step 1: Approval

    The application form

    The application form has recently been changed and has shortened dramatically. It no longer forms part of the assessment process, so just fill it out and get it in as soon as you feel ready!

  • Mentor Registration Form
    Document: Jun 2, 2011
    52 KiB text or word processing document
  • Mentoring Scheme Overview
    Document: Jun 2, 2011
    45 KiB text or word processing document
  • Candidate Leadership Programme
    Article: Jun 1, 2011

    Applications are now open for the Leadership Programme. Please email leadershipprogramme@libdems.org.uk to request an application pack. Deadline is 30th September 2011.

    The Liberal Democrat Candidate Leadership Programme is a new initiative that was proposed and passed at Spring Conference 2011. This Programme is designed specifically to identify and develop outstanding candidates from under-represented groups within the Party, with 50% of places reserved for women. Candidates on the Programme will be given structured support, development and training all the way through to the General Election, and is particularly focused on candidates who would like to apply for the most competitive seat selections.

  • Lib Dem
    CGB at Autumn Conference
    Article: Sep 8, 2010

    It is just over a week to go until Autumn Conference, and Liverpool 2010 promises to be as busy and exciting as ever for the Campaign! Please see below for information about the activities and events that CGB are organising this September.

    Training

    CGB is running a full programme of training, covering a range of skills and useful information for potential candidates and activists - please e-mail genderbalance.vol@libdems.org.uk for the full CGB programme

  • Can pregnant women stand for Parliament?
    Article: Sep 4, 2010

    Tamora Langley has recently shared her experience of being selected as a parliamentary candidate whilst pregnant, and fighting a General Election with a small baby - this is an important insight into combining the life of a PPC with having children, and a must-read for potential candidates who are considering this! The Campaign is also running a training session at Conference about being a candidate with young children, as this is an area of concern for many women.

Older items

Training and Events

TRAINING AND EVENTS

Mentoring

MENTORING

Support

SUPPORT