The Labour Women's Network (LWN) is the socialist society officially representing the women's wing of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom. It is a grassroots group which provides campaigning, training and support for women within the party.
Labour Women's Network | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Full name | Labour Women's Network |
| Short name | LWN |
| Chair | Abena Oppong-Asare, MP |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters |
|
| Ideology | Social democracy |
| Political position | Centre-left |
| National affiliation | Labour Party |
| European affiliation | Party of European Socialists |
| International affiliation | Progressive Alliance |
| Website | |
| www | |
History
editThe organisation was founded in 1988, with the aim of helping more women in the Labour Party to be chosen as candidates, and become elected as members of parliament. The Labour Women's Network was started by four women: Barbara Follett, Barbara Roche, Hilary De Lyon and Jean Black following the 1987 United Kingdom general election, which saw a very low number of women being elected to the British parliament.[3][4]
In 2011, Jo Cox, MP was elected as the first ever LWN chair, until she was elected member of parliament for Batley and Spen in 2015. Following her death, the Labour Party and Labour Women's Network started the 'Jo Cox Women in Leadership Scheme', which would help invest in training for women within the party.[5]
Purpose
editThe Labour Women's Network is a big tent organisation which accepts women with different views of women issues within the Labour Party. It does not make policy, however its prime purpose is to help and provide training for women who wish to stand for public office in both local and national politics.[3]
Structure
editThe organisation is run by a general committee, with elections taking place every year. Any woman can stand for election providing they have been a member for at least 4 months before proceedings begin. Committee members serve a 2 year term, unless there is a by-election.
Committee
editThe committee of the Labour Women's Network, as of August 2024[update] was:[6]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chair | Abena Oppong-Asare, MP |
| Secretary | Kiran Mahil |
| Treasurer | Cllr Katherine Dunne |
| Training Lead | Nan Sloane |
| Committee member | Cllr Sharon Thompson |
| Committee member | Ashley Dalton, MP |
| Committee member | Cllr Bisi Osundeko |
| Committee member | Kate Dearden |
| Committee member | Cllr Anntoinette |
| Committee member | Cllr Rosa Bolger |
| Committee member | Cllr Elle Cumbo |
References
edit- ^ O'Shea, Stephen; Buckley, James (8 December 2015). "Corbyn's Labour party set for swanky HQ move". CoStar. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
- ^ "Contact". Labour Party. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ a b "A history of Labour Women's Network". Labour Women's Network. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Labour leadership: Who are the party's affiliate groups backing?". BBC News. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Jo Cox women in Leadership Scheme". Labour Women's Network. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Your Committee". Labour Women's Network. Retrieved 3 August 2024.