OVER the past year Thurrock Labour Women’s Group have been meeting in growing numbers.
The group is open to anyone who wants to support equality for women in the borough.
They have held a number of listening events with the leader of the older women’s commission Fiona McTaggart MP, and women from Thurrock have been able to influence national Labour Party Policy by telling their stories.
Thurrock Labour Women’s Group met on Saturday to launch the Thurrock Labour Women’s Charter.
Thurrock Labour Women’s Officer Cllr Barbara Rice said:
“We have been meeting regularly to discuss women’s issues in Thurrock. What started as a small group of Labour members has now grown into a movement. I am delighted that so many women in Thurrock want to get involved and I am proud to support the Thurrock Labour Women’s Charter.
Labour Parliamentary Candidate Polly Billington said: “Who gets involved with politics matters. It can change the decisions that are made. That’s why Thurrock Labour Women’s group is important.
“Women are worst hit by cuts to public services and cuts to working tax credits. Childcare and family responsibilities are big issues for women and we need to talk about them, as well as low pay, rising fuel costs and zero hours contracts. We make a difference by ensuring more women are involved in creating change.
“7 out of 10 female MPs have been Labour. 66% of Thurrock Council Cabinet members are women and 39% of Shadow Cabinet members nationally are women compared to only 17% of Government ministers. We are out in front but the more women that get involved the better.
“I encourage any women who are interested to get in touch with me at [email protected] and let me know the issues that effect you and your family as a woman in Thurrock.
To all men out there on a zero hours contract, on benefits, claim tax credits, use public services, you’ve heard it from the horses mouth. You don’t suffer as much as women and Amnesia Polly couldn’t care less about you. Note to Polly and the councillors involved, the council suuports zero hours contracts.
As a woman, the brand of “gender equality” being peddled disgusts me. Polly “all-women shortlist” Billington you do NOT speak for me!
Polly’s next bangwaggon….She’ll be telling us shes Black
If Polly is so concerned about the ‘cuts’ affecting women more than I suggest she donates some of her own wealth to plug the gap.
I cannot see her doing that as Polly doesn’t really care about the nonsense she spouts but is merely using that well known Labour tactic of pandering to various groups.