Equality
I am lobbying the Government on many levels as part of my action against inequality and discrimination, focussing specifically on age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, opportunity or disability. The Speaker's Conference, which was set up in November 2008, has given me the opportunity to join other MPs who seek to rid the inequalities people face not only in the UK, but in Parliament too; equality of opportunity for people with disabilities, women, and ethnic minorities are among my top priorities. Through my work with the Liberal Democrat Women's Policy Working Group I am committed to equal rights for women specifically - regarding pay, benefits, maternity and careers, as well as body image and the media. The information below highlights some of my actions in more detail.
Follow the links below for:
- Real Women campaign
- Campaign for Gender Balance
- Speaker's Conference
- Videos of Jo raising equality issues in Parliament
- How the Lib Dems are increasing diversity in politics
Speaker's Conference
On 12 November 2008 the House agreed to establish a new committee, to be chaired by the Speaker, and known as the Speaker's Conference. The Conference has been asked to: "Consider, and make recommendations for rectifying, the disparity between the representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people in the House of Commons and their representation in the UK population at large". It may also agree to consider other associated matters.
As a member of the Speaker's Conference since its inception, I meet with other MPs on a regular basis to discuss how we can make Parliament more representative of the UK as whole. I passionately believe that in order to make laws which are good for the country, Parliament must represent people from all different parts of our national community.
For more information on the Speaker's Conference, please follow the link below.
Jo's news stories on the Speaker's Conference
11/01/10 Parliament must open up to people from all backgrounds
22/10/09 Jo quizzes party leaders on diversity in Parliament
12/12/08 MPs tasked with reforming Westminster makeup
Gender
Women face pressure from all directions these days. Hit hard by the recession, trying to juggle family commitments with work and home life, it's easy to feel like you're running just to stand still. The media screams out an endless list of things still to do: get a bikini body in 20 days, plan the perfect children's party, how to look 10 years younger. Despite great strides forward in equality, women still get paid less than men, and generally still end up taking more responsibility for childcare and looking after elderly relatives. This can be hugely rewarding, but combining this with a job can seem almost impossible.
As Chairperson of the Liberal Democrat Women's Policy Working Group, my colleagues and I are tackling the broad range of problems women in today's society face - from the gender pay gap to the media and body image. We recently launched a policy paper which demonstrates how we propose to combat these issues - click on the below link to download the report.
Jo's news stories on gender equality
06/07/10 Jo talks sport on Woman's Hour
22/06/10 Campaign for Body Confidence calls for free-to-air women's sport
01/06/10 Body talk at Women's Aid
25/02/10 Home Office review backs Lib Dem airbrushing proposals
23/02/10 Psychiatrists back plans for airbrush kitemarks
29/01/10 Government must encourage flexible working
11/01/10 Magazine highlights airbrushing harm
16/12/09 ASA bans 'misleading' Twiggy advert says Jo
24/11/09 MPs back protection for immigrant women against domestic violence
05/11/09 Protection from domestic violence is a human right - Jo
17/09/09 Paternity leave plans welcome but more action needed
13/08/09 Lib Dems launch women's policy paper
23/04/09 A century on, gender inequality persists
03/04/09 Parliament still a boys' club - Swinson
11/03/09 Swinson urges government to put women on bank boards
15/10/08 Jo Swinson interviews youngest Afghan woman MP Malalai Joya
04/09/08 Outdated work practices holding women back
02/07/08 Jo joins flappers in call for more women MPs
08/03/08 Jo urges gender pay gap efforts on International Women's Day
15/02/08 Women's Land Army veterans urged to get the recognition they deserve
14/02/08 Jo takes up Bishopbriggs pupil's classroom invitation
07/02/08 Jo seeks justice for rape victims
05/12/07 Give licence fee help to abused women - Jo
17/07/07 Jo criticises Government priorities on womens pensions
11/07/07 Jo seeks protection for forced marriage victims
03/07/07 Jo takes up Lib Dem Equalities post
08/03/07 International Women's Day: Jo backs life-saving Solar Cookers
22/11/06 New report shows still no integrated Government strategy on violence against women
08/11/06 Cosmopolitan honours Fun Fearless Female Jo
06/07/06 Gender imbalance in Scotland's male-dominated Councils must be tackled
29/06/06 Plugging the skills gap: women are the answer says Jo
20/04/06 Jo presses for refuge concessions in BBC charter review
24/03/06 Sports award inequalities entrench male bias - Jo
11/03/06 Jo gains Minister's commitment over abuse refuge TV licence concessions
08/03/06 Fair deal needed on abuse refuge TV licences - Jo
25/01/06 Jo tackles Prime Minister on women and violence
24/01/06 Jo calls on leadership contenders to address gender and ethnic balance
19/12/05 Jo supports anti-spiking campaign
02/01/05 Jo to fight for women pensioners on Channel 4
07/11/05 Women and Carers "systematically failed by the pensions system" - Jo
19/09/05 Jo's rallying call to women candidates
Ethnicity
Ethnic minorities are under-represented in the UK political system, and I feel strongly that one of the best ways to break down barriers and eliminate discrimination on grounds of ethnicity is to increase the representation of BME communities in Parliament,so we can be assured that all sections of society can be heard. Politics can only be improved and strengthened by drawing on a wider pool of talent.
It is important that we stand up to hatred, racism and oppression in the UK and beyond, not only as Members of Parliament but as a society as a whole.
Recent research has shown that many employers are less likely to invite a candidate to interview if they have a foreign-sounding name. The Liberal Democrats have proposed 'no name policy' for employers, whereby candidates for jobs would put their national insurance numbers on application forms rather than their names. This would help to prevent unconscious discrimination against ethnic minorities as well as women.
Jo's news stories on equality between ethnicities
25/01/10 Boclair pupils learn lessons of the Holocaust
17/09/09 Local MP and school pupils on Auschwitz visit
27/01/09 Jo marks Holocaust Memorial Day
05/11/08 Obama victory a historic moment of change
23/04/08 Young East Dunbartonshire BME Politicians Inspired by Westminster Visit
24/01/08 Jo Swinson marks Holocaust Memorial Day
27/01/06 Lessons of the Holocaust must never be forgotten
24/01/06 Jo calls on leadership contenders to address gender and ethnic balance
Sexual Orientation
It often seems as though 'equality' is inexorably linked with gender and race equality, while the discrimination of certain groups is ignored. Sexual orientation and gender identity are issues which also affect a person's life and unfortunately can cause them to be discriminated against.
The Liberal Democrats proudly stand for equality for lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual members of society, as part of creating a more inclusive and tolerant country. I fully believe that a more diverse society, and indeed a more diverse Parliament, is a richer one.
In two recent Parliamentary debates, I called on the Government to stop deporting gay Iranians back to Iran, where they face persecution, torture, and even execution. Despite the fact that around 4,000 Iranians have been executed since 1979 by the Iranian government for being gay, the official Home Office guidance says that "it is not accepted that there is systematic repression of gay men and lesbians", and in June 2008 the then Home Secretary justified the Government's refusal to offer asylum to gay Iranians, saying that there was no "real risk" to homosexuals who were deported to Iran if they behaved "discreetly". The Liberal Democrats are campaigning to change this apalling law. Please click on the following links to read those two debates:
External news stories on gay equality
18/09/07 Lib Dems and Stonewall discuss gay issues (Pink News)
14/09/07 Gay equality on the agenda at Lib Dem conference (Pink News)
04/07/07 Lib Dems appoint new equality spokesperson (Pink News)
Disability
There are many areas in which disabled people are unfairly disadvantaged, such as in employment, in the negative attitudes they encounter frequently, as well as the added cost of living with a disability.
I am committed to making sure provisions are put in place to end the social and economic exclusion of disabled people. The political system also ought to listen to the voices of its disabled citizens, who should have a fair and equal say in the running of the country. They can provide politicians with a valuable insight into the particular needs and concerns of disabled people living in the UK today, and communication is paramount if we are to strive towards providing quality, accessible services to all.
Jo's news stories on equality for disabled people
21/12/09 Jo backs disabled campaigners' no. 10 petition
13/11/09 Jo warns: "Don't write off people with autism"
18/08/09 Jo supports Help for Heroes day
22/10/08 Bishopbriggs 'Haggeye' welcomed to Westminster
17/07/08 Jo supports disabled young campaigners
23/06/08 Notice of surgery for deaf and hard of hearing residents
06/09/07 Housing grant cuts will hit disabled residents
21/06/07 Digital TV charges to hit thousands of Pensioners and Disabled
14/06/07 Jo brings hidden sight loss problems to light
17/01/07 Jo takes sign language concerns to Minister
29/10/06 Jo Makes a Difference for Talking Newspaper listeners
21/09/06 Don't delay - check your hearing today, urges Jo
17/02/06 Jo Swinson MP asks "Are we taking the Dis?"
28/12/05 Jo calls time on airline discrimination
21/12/05 Jo backs charity campaign on disability and debt
Age
It is time that politicians recognised the valid contribution that can be made by people of all ages and in many walks of life.
It is sad that due to the actions of a few, young people are often seen as hooligans. We need young people to play an active and positive role in society, and so we need to treat them with respect. That is why I have been campaigning to lower the voting age to 16.
The Government's recent Equality Bill allows providers of goods and services to discriminate against young people. While rules relating to alcohol and cigarette sales necessarily treat young people differently, young people need recourse to the law in cases where the discrimination is clearly unfair.
Similarly, more needs to be done to protect the elderly, one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Older members of society are disproportionately affected by certain issues such as rising fuel bills and tax rates - these must be addressed. Please follow the link below to find out more about my actions to get a better deal for pensioners.
- Jo's campaign to get a better deal for pensioners
- Jo's campaign to get more young people involved in politics
Jo's news stories on age equality
26/06/09 Swinson slams government over youth discrimination
12/05/09 Value young people and let them vote
28/05/08 St Dominic's Senior Citizens' Club welcomes Jo
12/05/08 Auchinairn Seniors' Forum welcomes Jo
12/03/08 Raw deal for poorer children and pensioners in budget
19/12/07 East Dunbartonshire Youth Senate quiz Jo on youth amenities
18/09/07 Jo backs minimum wage boost for young workers
23/08/07 Silver Surfers back Jo's new online service
20/08/07 Anti-social behaviour top of senior citizens' concerns
17/07/07 Jo criticises Government priorities on womens pensions
21/06/07 Digital TV charges to hit thousands of Pensioners and Disabled
30/01/07 3,000 East Dunbartonshire young people to miss out on Scottish elections
25/01/07 Jo seeks Parliamentary backing for votes at 16
23/01/07 18-year-old challenger to McConnell should pave the way for younger voters
04/12/06 Jo backs national campaign for Warm Homes
06/11/06 Lowering the voting age will reconnect young people with politics
10/10/06 Equal minimum wages needed for young workers
09/08/06 'Help Yourselves' - Jo tells East Dunbartonshire young people
15/06/06 Jo pledges support on first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
07/02/06 End East Dunbartonshire Elder Abuse - Jo
20/12/05 Jo gives support as campaign for winter warmth hots up
12/12/05 Jo Swinson calls on Parliament to encourage young voters
Religion
Everyone should have the right to practice their religion freely without fear of persecution, and the Liberal Democrats recognise the value of diversity in communities, workplaces and indeed the political system. People with differing religious beliefs are more than capable of coming together to help improve the world we live in.
Our focus must be on educating people to be tolerant and respectful of the views of others; while recognition must be made of the important contribution made by religious institutions such as churches, mosques and synagogues to the wellbeing of many in the communities they serve.
Jo's news stories on religious equality
01/06/09 Bearsden Baha'i community concerned for imprisoned leaders
27/01/09 Jo marks Holocaust Memorial Day
08/05/08 End Catholic discrimination in monarchy
24/01/08 Jo Swinson marks Holocaust Memorial Day
05/12/07 Jo praises local churches at Westminster
29/01/07 Jo joins LSE students to launch Discover Islam week
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