Let’s talk about Race and Gender bias in Politics. It’s still an issue, but why? 

 

Women and ethnic minority groups are politically engaged and although the UK has been making changes, within its politics and its parliament, inequalities are still prominent and the lack of women and ethnic minority representation is still an issue.

Women and people of ethnic minorities are becoming a part of political procedures, as of March 2020 there were 65 members in the House of Lords that came from ethnic minority backgrounds (UK Parliament Commons Library, 2020). There was also an increase in the women elected, with 220 females elected in 2019, up from 208 in 2017 (BBC, 2019). This is great news for society and improving inequalities in the long run. However it is not enough! The representation in politics is still flawed and does not reflect society, to reflect correctly around 93 ethnic minority members are needed in the House of Lords (UK Parliament Commons Library,2020). Parliament is still dominated by white males with a great number of them attending private schools, 29% of MPs currently attended private education, and with only 7% of British people being privately educated (GOV.UK. 2019) , this is not an accurate representation of the general population. How can societal issues be tackled correctly if those in power do not hold the values, and experiences, of all the members of society?

Some people may see the increasing figures and think ‘why does it matter that there is still some inequality? We’re improving aren’t we’. 

But these figures matter a great deal, as these inequalities stem from deeper issues and represent further pitfalls in society. It’s not just showing the misrepresentation in powerful positions, which is a large issue itself, it is also showing the lack of encouragement given to women and ethnic minority people to pursue professional, political roles in society. There are inequalities within education and general personal and work life that discourage many people from different things. For example, men are 10% more likely to pick a political science course due to family members and societies encouragement (The Century Foundation, 2017). Women are less likely to receive this encouragement to explore political career options, from family members, as well as the gendered roles in college and classes that depress the pursuit in further career opportunities (The Century Foundation, 2017).  The glass ceiling is a metaphor for the disadvantages regarding women’s career opportunities, it presents the difficulties for women when attempting to move up the career ladder (Bihagen, E & Ohis, M. 2006). This here is a clear example of the glass ceiling and how it affects women all throughout society at all stages of their career, even before their career has had a chance to lift off!

Encouragement to pursue a career in politics needs to be equal for all, to allow women and ethnic minorities to become people in power. Exclusion in society is another factor that creates inequalities. Black women are more likely to participate in political activities, whether this be voting or different expressive political tactics (Shingles, RD. 1981). Whilst black men are continuously excluded from society. Black male pupils are alienated and excluded in the education system (Christian,M. 2005), they are disadvantaged from the beginning as education is the stepping stone to more knowledge and inclusion in society. If black men are constantly excluded throughout education, how will they succeed and be a part of British politics. Black politicians do attempt to educate their fellow colleagues on the disadvantages for black pupils within education, but this does not create any change to the exclusion that is taking place (Christian,M. 2005). 

These inequalities in parliament do not represent the political engagement levels of women and ethnic minority groups, voter turnouts show that they are politically engaged and voting in high numbers. Women and ethnic minorities want to engage and be a part of political changes but are discouraged in society from taking it as a career choice, as societal expectations of politicians are white males. 

Women and ethnic minority groups are engaged with politics, we vote, we protest and we engage with issues. But society discourages women and ethnic minorities from chasing a career in politics and with educational disadvantages and preferences for white, private educated men in Parliament, the divide is even more difficult to fix. Encouragement and inclusion is needed, for all, throughout society, as yes there have been changes. But they are not enough, until MP’s represent society through gender, race and educational background, it is not enough. 

 

Do you think we will ever have full equality and representation in our parliament? Interested to hear your thoughts on the bias’ within our politics, write them in the comments below!

 

Bibliography: 

BBC (2019) Election 2019: Britain’s most diverse Parliament. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50808536 Accessed: 12.03.21

Bihagen, E. Ohis, M. (2006) The Glass Ceiling- Where is it? Women’s and Men’s Career Prospects in the Private vs. the Public Sector in Sweden 1979-2000. SAGE Journals. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1467-954X.2006.00600.x 

Christian, M. (2005) The Politics of Black Presence in Britain and Black Male Exclusion in the British Education System. SAGE Journals. 35(3). Pp: 327-346. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0021934704268397 

GOV.UK. (2019) Elitism in Britain, 2019. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/elitism-in-britain-2019 Accessed: 12.03.21

LSE BPP (2017) In what ways does gender matter for voting behaviour in GE2017? Available at: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/gender-and-voting-behaviour-in-ge2017/ Accessed: 14.03.21

Shingles, RD. (1981) Black Consciousness and Political Participation: The Missing Link. JSTOR. 75(1). Pp:76-91. Doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/1962160 

The Century Foundation (2017) Women’s Underrepresentation in Politics: No, It’s Not Just An Ambition Gap. Available at: https://tcf.org/content/commentary/womens-underrepresentation-politics-no-not-just-ambition-gap/?session=1  Accessed: 12.03.21

UK Parliament (2020) House of Commons Library. Ethnic Diversity in politics and public life. Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01156/ Accessed: 12.03.21