Under-Representation

• Can you think of any groups which have been traditionally overlooked politically?

Under-Representation

• This refers to the fact that there are fewer women and ethnic minority representatives in proportion to the percentage of the population they make up.

Women

• Why are there less women in Parliament than men?

Why are there fewer women Why are there fewer women than men in the Scottish and than men in the Scottish and

UK Parliaments?UK Parliaments?

The Numbers…The Numbers…How many How many MPs are MPs are there there in totalin total in the House in the House of Commons?of Commons?

650650

How Many are How Many are Female?Female?

In October In October of 2011 of 2011 there there

were….were…. 144144

In case you haven’t worked it out that’s only In case you haven’t worked it out that’s only 21%21%

Why?Why?

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LONG HOURSLONG HOURSSTEREOTYPE STEREOTYPE GETTING PICKEDGETTING PICKED

ATMOSPHEREATMOSPHERE

WHY SO FEW?WHY SO FEW?

Women

• Why are there less women in Parliament than men?

• Political parties might not select female candidates

• Sexism – voters may not vote for female candidates

• Aggressive atmosphere in House of Commons puts people off

• Family reasons – working in London away from family, long hours etc…

In the Scottish Parliament

Things are better for women…

• Working hours are 9-5• Easy to get to Edinburgh• Uses proportional representation –

women have better chance of being elected

• Women make up 34.1% of Scottish Parliament compared to 21% in London.

• Currently, the Deputy First Minister is Nicola Sturgeon

Which other groups are Which other groups are Under – represented?Under – represented?

MinoritiesMinorities

DisabledDisabledManual Manual WorkersWorkers

Ethnic Minorities

• Why are so few MPs from ethnic minority groups?

• Parties don’t select them to stand as candidates – in 2005 only 3% of candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds

• Racism – voters might not vote for a person because of their race

• Language barriers• Few role models to look up to

Ethnic Minority Politicians

• 27 MPs are from ethnic minority backgrounds – 4.15%

• 2 MSPs are from ethnic minority backgrounds – 1.55%

Hanzala Malik, Labour

Humza Yousaf, SNP

Disabled Politicians

• Scotland’s first blind MSP elected in 2011, Dennis Robertson SNP.

• David Blunkett is a prominent Labour MP in the UK Parliament.