WLD in Harrogate

4.33.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Mar 2009

Diana Wallis MEP

WLD had another successful conference in Harrogate. We ran a training session on Speaking at Conference jointly with CGB which was very well received, and at least three participants put their new skills into practice the next day. We ran a very interesting Fringe meeting with with main speaker Diana Wallis MEP, Vice President of WLD, and even made some money on our stall with quizzes and Easter eggs. Read the full story for accounts of the training and Fringe meeting sent in by women who were there.

Speaking at Conference Training Session by Diana Stimely

Hello everyone,

As a first timer to the Harrogate Spring Conference it was with some trepidation that I arrived to find myself one of many ladies looking for the training taking place on Friday afternoon. I need not have worried - there was such a relaxed atmosphere and Candy Piercy and her colleague made us all feel so welcome.

I found the training easy to follow and very informative but I must say the highlight of the afternoon was when we were given time to write either a 3 minute speech or a one minute intervention. Butterflies appeared in my stomach as if by magic but, saying to myself it will go no further than these 4 walls, I got my idea down on paper. "Who's going to start us off?" said Candy and I heard myself say "I will." I was quickly followed by other ladies, some even attempting the 3 minutes.

The next morning I was in the hall bright and early - I didn't want to miss a moment of this new experience. I sat there dithering - would I do my 1-minute intervention? My mind was made up for me by 2 ladies from the previous days training session as they got up on stage and delivered (well, I may say) their thoughts on child care and students loans.I chose to speak about the devolving of power from Westminster regarding children's education. It was short and to the point and afterwards I was so glad I had entered into this debate, for children and their welfare are my passion.

Am I glad I've become a LibDem? you bet you're life I am. Will I go to more conferences? Yes I will. Do I enjoy being a Membership Development Officer with the opportunity to encourage more people to join the party? I'm sure you've guessed the answer to that question - Oh Yes.

Report on WLD Fringe Meeting by Ros Weston

'Who will make the difference for women, Europe or Westminster?'

Lorley Burt MP chaired the session and introduced the guest speakers: Diana Wallis, MEP for ten years in Brussels and Claire Kelley, PPC for Harrogate. Lorley Burt welcomed speakers and guests, treating her audience to her personal experience of gender discrimination in parliamentary committees and business as well as in her constituency. Her stories highlighted the need for continued action to ensure that women MPs and candidates were taken seriously, respected and supported at every level of the party, and actively sought as candidates for every election. She suggested that women's work was not yet done - there were not enough of us standing for election, whether local, national or European, and neither were there appropriate structures, support, or training to ensure that more women were successful in winning seats.

This theme was taken up by Diana Wallis. She talked about her experience in the European parliament where women were definitely more visible, on every committee, and have been for many years; and from every country in the EU too. She spoke eloquently about her committee experience, the travelling that was necessary and the time away from the UK which is not easy for women, especially those who have children. It was necessary, she said, to continue to encourage women to stand in European elections and also necessary to continue to improve the conditions for both men and women to be able to balance personal and family life with life as an EU MP. Women were necessary to further policy development in every area of political activity as they offer a different perspective to men. She wanted to see very real encouragement for women to put themselves forward for seats and the political will to make this possible.

Claire Kelley continued this narrative. She had been a young councillor as a single parent with young children and found it exciting but hard. She spoke about the need for political will to encourage and support women candidates, and the systemic issues that discouraged so many able women to stand in local, national and international elections, wasting talent and resources.

All three speakers warned that we needed to be continually vigilant in encouraging women, supporting and working for women and enabling them to stand for elections of their choice. We have not yet broken through the glass ceiling even in the European parliament where women are visible. We cannot and must not sit on our laurels otherwise fewer and fewer women, faced with more and more demands in their lives, will be prepared to stand. WLD is a conduit in this process.