Should more be done to protect female MPs from abuse?

There has been alarm over the number of female MPs standing down at the upcoming election.

These women have cited the abuse they face in public office as a reason for their actions.

18 of the 58 politicians who have announced they will not stand again are women.

Although this number reflects the current proportional makeup of parliament, the female Tory MPs standing down are on average 10 years younger and have spent a decade less in parliament than the retiring male MPs.

Heidi Allen, former Conservative MP, said she would not stand and highlighted “the nastiness and intimidation that has become commonplace”.

Sam Smethers, the chief executive of the Fawcett Society had this to say:

“We have to confront the fact that our toxic politics is driving good women MPs away. In 2019 it is still a hostile environment for women… I fear that we will see the number of women MPs fall after this election. We are going backwards”

Should more be done to protect female MPs from abuse?

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