Hundreds from 50:50 joined Rosie Duffield MP in Parliament on Monday. She said, “This time last year I was an ordinary 50:50 supporter. Frances and the 50:50 team inspired me and made me believe that I too could be an MP. We need more women to be given the confidence and support to succeed in politics, that’s why I’m proud to be the host of this year’s #AskHerToStand event. I’m proud to tell my fellow women that it’s time to get out of the kitchen and onto the benches!” The panel included Maria Miller MP (Conservative & Chair of the Women & Equalities Select Committee), Amelia Womack Deputy Leader (Green), Jo Swinson MP (Lib Dem), and Phillipa Whiteford MP (SNP). They described their journeys to the Commons and encouraged other women to stand. Jess Phillips MP, Vicky Foxcroft MP, Dawn Butler MP, Mims Davies MP, Gillian Keegan MP, Jo Churchill MP and Rebecca Pow MP and also came along to inspire others. This occasion marked the anniversary of Nancy Astor taking her seat in the Commons in December 1919; she “wanted the world to get better”. And still, after all this time, men outnumber women 2:1 on those green benches. We need another 117 women MPs for a gender balanced Parliament and that’s why 50:50 have launched #AskHerToStand. Frances Scott, Director of 50:50 Parliament comments: “Many were lauding the 2017 election as a record for women but one hundred years after women won the right to vote, this is a sad record. Only 12 extra women were elected, at this rate it will take over 50 years for women to have equal seats and equal say in Parliament. That is too long to wait, there is too much at stake, and that is why 50:50 have launched our #AskHerToStand campaign to inspire and support women in winning seats at Westminster” Studies have shown that women are 50% less likely than men to consider themselves potential candidates for elected office and that they need to be asked three times before they will consider standing. At 50:50 Parliament we know there is a whole bunch of fabulously qualified women, such as Rosie Duffield, out there who with a nudge and a good dose of encouragement will come forward and work for all our benefits. As Maria Miller MP says “All the main parties agree Parliament would be better if 50% MPs are women. 100 years on from women getting the vote it is our responsibility as MPs to help make this a reality.” Dawn Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, also said "Sometimes a woman is the best man for the job!" We couldn’t agree more! Frances, Hannah, Dolly and Brian #5050Parliament Team PS. Ask everyone to join up at www.5050Parliament.co.uk Join our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/972315352859673/ Follow on twitter and retweet at https://twitter.com/5050Parliament