I Wanted to Go Out and Change the World but I Couldn't Find a Babysitter

by Christine McLaughlin

I've just got back from some election hustings at Acre Hall Primary School in Flixton.  The hustings are going on till 9.30 but I had to leave after an hour because my three year-old was creating a fuss.  It made me wonder whether the problem of finding evening childcare is the reason why fewer women than men are involved in politics.  I say fewer are involved but I suppose I mean fewer are visible or elected.  Following the Leader's Debate last week, so many of my friends remarked on their overwhelming impression of politics as a man's game.  Depressingly, the most high profile women in the current General Election campaign are the wives of politicians.

What is the solution?  For a start, I'd love the chance to go to a child-friendly hustings event. If anyone wants to organise one, please get in touch and I'll be there, whenever it is.  All you need is a large room, a weekend afternoon, and a space at the back for toys, crafts and other activities to occupy tomorrow's voters. 

My immediate solution is to just turn up everywhere I need to go with my child in tow.  I must admit I thought twice about attending tonight's hustings.  Then I decided to go because parents with young children should be able to engage with the democratic process and if there aren't any facilities for that then we should all just keep turning up at these things until people expect that and accomodate us.

Trafford Greens have organised some events with parents in mind, including a Baby Disco this coming Sunday.  More information can be found here.  It gives parents with young children the opportunity to find out more about the Green Party and how they can get involved without having to undertake the difficult task of finding a babysitter.

I'm so glad to have the opportunity to vote for a party that includes women on an equal footing (it feels odd to type that sentence in 2010, but we women are still a long way from full representation in our elected bodies).  Our brilliant leader Caroline Lucas is an inspirational politician who has a real chance of securing a first seat for the Green Party in Brighton and Hove.

Another female politician, Labour candidate Kate Green, reminded me of how lucky I am to be able to vote for my chosen party.  Due to what I assume is some sort of administrative incompetence on the part of Labour's election agent, there won't be a Labour candidate in Kate's ward so she can't vote for her own party.  I did wonder whether Green might vote Green, but she explained she would be spoiling her ballot paper (i.e. writing on it that she would like to vote Labour but would not be able to). 

This reminded me that I used to spoil my ballot paper in the days before the Green Party was able to field candidates in my local ward or constituency.  The choice then was between Labour and Conservative.  I'm so pleased now to have the chance to vote for a real alternative to endless airport expansion, illegal wars and ever increasing defence budgets.

Trafford Greens' candidate Margaret Westbrook is a candidate who cares about the local community and will fight for the future of our planet.  Give her a chance, and your vote on 6th May and she won't let you down.