This week Theresa May's speech at conference dominated the headlines. Reactions of course were mixed (click on the link below) but now that she is Prime Minister her words are more important than what she wears. She is not only seen, she is heard. This is the impact of gaining a place on the political stage. There was another great headline: "Jeremy Corbyn promotes women and ethnic minority MPs to build 'most diverse shadow Cabinet ever'" He has appointed women to more than half of the shadow cabinet’s 30 positions. To some extent this is all good news. It is good to have women centre stage in politics but, even if Theresa May dominates the headlines, it is still men that dominate Parliament. The fact remains that there are 140% more men than women in the Commons. The Lords has around 600 men and only 200 women. The statistics continue to indicate that the system isn't working for women. Women need to share the whole space not just the political limelight. Why does it matter? Because "We know that when women are in parliament…it builds more resilient, responsive, better informed institutions.” Prof Ngaire Woods. Parliament should draw upon the widest possible pool of talent and experience including the 32 million UK women, the diverse majority of the population. It would ensure more informed policy-making on all issues and particularly those concerning reproductive rights, violence against women and girls, equal pay, pensions, sexism, discrimination, inclusion, maternity care, family life, caring and parenting. Over 50 other countries have proportionally more women in their Parliaments than the UK. This shows that better gender balance is possible. The UK should be a world leader. So please keep spreading the word and asking people to support the 50:50 Parliament campaign. We continue to ask for solutions and action to get more women and better gender balance at Westminster. There is still a democratic deficit! Thanks! Frances, Sadaf, Apolline, Holly, Hannah, Charlie, Brian and all the #5050Parliament Team Theresa May's speech dominates the headlines: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-37570171 PS. Interestingly there was very little comment on Philip May's dress sense, except some joke account that was picked up and published inadvertently by The Telegraph (take a look at our post on www.facebook.com/5050Parliament).