Politics is still an “intimidating” place for women who face “more aggression” particularly on social media, a Green Party councillor in Bristol has said.
Cllr Heather Mack did say that Bristol was a “fiercely feminist place” though and encouraged a new generation of women “with a bit of fight in them” to step forward.
The Deputy Leader of Bristol City Council was speaking on the anniversary of women in the UK getting the legal right to stand for Parliament.
“If you like sometimes to have an argument about what’s right or wrong, you can do that in politics and that can be your job,” Cllr Mack explained in the lead up to ‘Ask Her to Stand’ day.
“Stepping into politics as a woman is more difficult, more aggression in politics will be aimed at women, social media is a nasty place… I have mostly come off social media which really helps and something that women can do, even in politics.”
She emphasised that she felt “incredibly empowered and taken seriously” in Bristol City Council, explaining “…a lot of people put work in to make that environment.”
Without reducing the fact that women are still a minority in politics, she added: “It is still often quite intimidating… I am quite often at events where almost everyone is a 50- to 60-year-old man.”
Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP for Bristol East, also spoke in advance of the 107th anniversary of the Women’s Act.
“I got in slightly precarious situations with men that you’re trying to be as professional as possible and that’s not really why they want to talk to you,” she said.
“There’ll be times when you feel like your voice isn’t being heard or your not being taken seriously. I soon learnt that I have to sit quite near the speaker to get attention.”
Ms McCarthy delved into why she ended up getting into politics, saying: “It was about wanting to be apart of the solution.”
Going further to encourage women from all backgrounds who have an interest in a political role “there’s such a range of diversity… and hopefully people will look to that.”
We are facing a potential crisis in equality.
— 50:50 Parliament (@5050Parliament) November 21, 2025
If polling predictions for the next General Election become reality, the number of women MPs could fall from 41% to just 26%.
This #AskHerToStandDay ask a woman to stand for political office, with the support of 50:50 Parliament. pic.twitter.com/tlrZzO9Zfq
It has been 107 years since women first had the right to stand in parliament. The 1918 Women’s Act legislation laid the foundations for memorable politicians like Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May.
Before the legislation, it was the norm that women under the age of 30 had no right to stand for parliament, nor did they have the right to vote. Even when they were of legal age, they were still faced with rigid qualifications.
It was the passing of the Women’s Act that changed that. The legislation, although a short one, just a single page, was one that transformed women’s voices in politics.
The ‘Ask Her to Stand’ movement was introduced in 2013, by the charity 50:50 Parliament. The organisation recognised the importance of women in politics and despite the progression of the movement, women only make up 41% of parliament.
The group, wanting to continue to challenge political systems and inspire women to get involved in politics, make a point in emphasising that by having an equal parliament the UK stands a better chance at building a better and inclusive democracy.
