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22
Sept
Misogyny and prejudice: Why are so few women involved in politics in North Yorkshire?
One woman described local politics as "a metaphorical bog of ancient prejudice" to the Stray Ferret.
Just one of this year's 18 parliamentary candidates in the Harrogate district was female. As it stands, every seat in North Yorkshire is held by a man.
So, why is North Yorkshire's political landscape so behind?
We asked two local politicians about their experiences as women - and what they feel needs to change.
Shan Oakes, Green Party
The Green Party's Shan Oakes was the only female parliamentary candidate across the Harrogate district during the 2024 election. She ran for Harrogate and Knaresborough for a second time, but it was Liberal Democrat Tom Gordon who came out triumphant.
But Shan’s time in local government, including the last two years on local councils, has not come without its fair share of challenges. She said:
I think it’s probably the same as in any realm. There is prejudice against women and people don’t listen to women – other women included.
We’re still struggling with that gender prejudice and women are seen as second-class citizens.
The Stray Ferret asked Shan if she had ever experienced misogyny as a councillor or politician. She said:
It’s difficult to say because you get so used to people talking over you, or if you do talk, they sort of behave as if you shouldn’t be talking.
I’ve learned to get my point across quickly, so people have to listen. I think women in general somehow learn to allow men to feel good.
We also asked Shan why she thinks there are so few women involved in the local government.
I think women feel we have to try and haul ourselves out of this prejudice. Margaret Thatcher was trained to deepen her voice – there’s fundamental things like that which make it difficult for women.
There’s also still an awful lot of that traditional divide beyond domestic roles, so women are often multi-tasking and they don’t have the time.
Melanie Davies, Labour councillor for Selby West
North Yorkshire Councillor, Melanie Davies, also gave insight into her experience as a Labour councillor for Selby West.
Melanie, who was a district councillor for 24 years prior to the formation of the unitary authority, told the Stray Ferret the biggest challenge she has faced as a woman in local government is being accepted.
I can recall at early meetings there would still be dinosaurs around. If a couple was there and they were both councillors, people would say your husband spoke for you.
It wasn’t common, but there were dinosaurs around. I know that happens in other parties.
Melanie told the Stray Ferret she must have experienced misogyny during her time, but added she discounts the experiences and instead lets them spur her on:
I tend to discount them because for me it spurs me on, being told I shouldn’t – and can’t – do something. It makes me think, ‘yes I can' and I find a way to.
Some male councillors have been incredibly supportive. I do prefer working with women, I find them more co-operative and less egotistical.
‘Why should I be the only female parliamentary candidate locally?’
The Stray Ferret asked Shan and Melanie if they would recommend a role in local government to other women.
Shan said:
It’s a commitment, so it probably isn’t particularly inviting to a lot of women who are busy. But I’d say go for it – have a go and see what you think. Then you can try and deal with your passions; my focus is the effects on nature with planning and housing, so protecting swift nests and bats, for example.
I feel I can have – and have had – an effect. Knaresborough Town Council has quite a strong focus on planning, and I feel I have played a part in that.
Why shouldn’t democracy be half-and-half? Why should I be the only female parliamentary candidate across three local constituencies?
Melanie told the Stray Ferret she would definitely recommend it to other women, adding the role can be rewarding and frustrating in equal measures.
However, she felt some women do not recognise their own abilities, which could be contributing to the problem.
I think some women are not aware of their own abilities – I’ve been there myself. You see people and kind of think, 'I couldn’t do that'. But if you unpick it, clearly you can.
When I was younger, it wasn’t something people would speak about, they would think they don’t know enough to enter the debate.
There’s hidden issues, like childcare and being a carer to an elderly parent, and there's time constraints. But I’ve enjoyed it – there’s a real variety of things.
We also asked both women what needs to change to improve gender representation in local government.
Shan told the Stray Ferret she feels women are in a “metaphorical bog of ancient prejudice”, adding:
I think we are still crawling out of that bog. It’s up to both men and women to fight it off and get rid of the mud on us from the bog.
I think any kind of prejudice is so damaging and we should value diversity – women’s ways of looking at the world are so valuable.
Women are also more sensitive to nature in my opinion, so we need more women making decisions if we want to rescue the planet.
Melanie felt working in local government is not inviting to women. She told the Stray Ferret it needs to be viewed as a space where women are encouraged.
The local Labour party set up a women's forum and is trying to engage more women, Melanie said.
But she urged women looking to get into the sector to find what makes them angry and what they'd like to change, adding:
Then talk to someone that’s already involved. It can seem daunting, I’m a school governor, but it took me four years to get the full breadth of knowledge to fully participate – and it’s the same thing if you start with something you really care about.
Are you a woman looking to get into local government, or a woman with a positive experience working in politics?
If you have an opinion, feel free to contact us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk or debate in our comments section below.
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