Our democracy is not fully open.
If you want to change politics, you have to change who gets to be a politician.
Right now, too many people are locked out.
Women make up around 40% of MPs. That is progress, but it is still far from equal. And when it comes to disabled people, carers, and those living with long-term health conditions, Parliament remains overwhelmingly unrepresentative.
If you believe Parliament should reflect the country it serves, please consider supporting our work.
At Compassion in Politics, we believe that better politics starts with who is able to take part.
One practical, proven way to open things up is job sharing.
It was one of the recommendations in our Reset Parliament: A Blueprint for a 21st Century Parliament, developed alongside partners 50:50 Parliament.
We have since worked with John McDonnell MP and his team to develop an amendment that would make MP job sharing possible in law, alongside support from partners including Elect Her.
At the moment, the law does not allow two people to stand together and share the role of an MP.
That shuts out a huge pool of talent. People with caring responsibilities. People managing disabilities or long-term health conditions. People whose lives do not fit the rigid expectations of a full-time Westminster role.
These are perspectives Parliament needs but too often does not have.
Job sharing is already widely used across business, healthcare, education and the public sector. The same concerns were raised there too, and they proved unfounded. In many cases, outcomes improved.
The next opportunity to push this reform forward will come both over the next few weeks and then again in the Autumn. Between now and then, we will be building the case for change.
Before we take the next step, we would value hearing from you.
With gratitude,
Compassion in Politics