Women Liberal Democrats

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has closed the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Brighton by calling on members to spread the message of the Party's commitment in Government to deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society.

In his keynote Leader's speech, Nick paid tribute to the work of the Party in winning the Eastleigh by-election, beating the Conservatives into third place and squeezing Labour while campaigning on the Lib Dem record of delivering in Government.

Women Liberal Democrats (WLD) are very concerned by the sexual harrassment allegations involving the party.Of equally serious concern is the implication that the party did not deal appropriately with these complaints when they were first raised , and failed to offer support.

We are also aware that it appears that WLD was not seen as a place to turn for people with concerns.As some of these allegations are historical we are having to look back through our records, to be certain that these issues weren't raised to the SAO, but whatever the case that is a failure on the part of WLD, and for that I am personally very sorry.

The last twelve months have been lit up by moments that will stay with us forever. When Mo Farah approached the final stretch of the 10,000m final, who wasn't up on their feet, screaming at the TV?

When Nicola Adams beamed at the crowd after winning the first ever women's Olympic boxing, who didn't smile back? I was lucky enough to be there, and that's one I'll never forget.

George Osborne has today flunked the opportunity to appoint an exceptional woman candidate to the highly influential position of Bank of England Governor, when he resisted calls to appoint Sharon Bowles MEP who chairs the European Parliament's Monetary and Economic Affairs Committee.

A petition begun by Campaign for Gender Balance Vice Chair Tam Langley in support of Sharon Bowles' application had been attracting growing support from all political corners http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/bowles

In light of the news that BBC Director-General George Entwistle has resigned Dr. Miranda Whitehead, WLD Chair, has said:

"We are concerned that the failings of the BBC will obscure the real horror of abuse of children in state care. It is important that the real issue of the exploitation of these children remains the centre of this story"

Women Liberal Democrats welcome the re-election of President Barack Obama.

We are especially pleased to see the importance of the women's vote in the election. Their views were not only seen as relevant, but as essential parts of the campaign. It was clear that the Republicans failed to address many American women's concerns - and not just those about reproductive rights, but jobs and taxes too.

Commenting on Nick Clegg's speech, to be given Tuesday 13th November, which includes new proposals for shared parental leave, Women Liberal Democrat Chair Dr Miranda Whitehead said,

"This is a historic achievement for the Liberal Democrats, and for women. Much of the gender pay gap is due to employers discriminating against women in their late twenties and thirties, who miss out on promotions and pay rises when their children are young.

Dear Members,

After a successful conference the joint executives of CGB and WLD have been working towards the new organisation for women, which is currently going under the working title of Liberal Democrat Women. We have had many suggestions for the name, but this is the one that most of us agree on. Let us know if you feel it isn't acceptable.

On Wednesday 24^th October I, along with a few other members of the WLD, went to the feminist rally and lobby of parliament organised by UKFeminista. The purpose of the event was to give our MPs information about five issues which are important to woman and to get them to promise to put these issues at the top of their agenda. The five issues, in a nutshell, were abortion rights, childcare, objectification of women and girls, violence towards women and girls and the treatment of women who apply for asylum.