10th June 2009

Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg today stood united to encourage more disabled people to stand for Parliament and to highlight the current under-representation of disabled people in British politics.

Each of the three party leaders met disabled parliamentary candidates from their respective parties and pledged to do more to remove the many access and attitudinal barriers that prevent disabled people from entering politics.

Listen to Scope's reaction to the meeting now

The unique show of support came during disability charity Scope’s Time to Get Equal Week (June 8-14) which is campaigning to ensure that disabled people’s voices are heard at every level of society.

Alice Maynard, Chair of Scope, said:

“There is universal consensus that our political system is not functioning properly and is in urgent need of reform. Scope’s research has shown that disabled people are often overlooked by parliamentary selection panels because they don’t conform to the stereotypical image of what an MP should look like. The current crisis is a real opportunity to open up politics and engage with people who have a great deal of offer but to date have been discouraged from standing for office.
 
“Given that many political parties are looking to re-open their candidate lists the time is right for new blood in British politics.”

Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, said:

"Just recently, the subject of politics has become politics itself. So we have a unique chance to come together as a country and renew our democracy.
One of my key priorities this year will be rebuilding trust in our parliamentary system and I welcome the important contribution Scope is making to improving British politics. Opening up politics and encouraging the participation of people from a diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences are the absolute foundation of fair politics.

''The Labour Party is committed to ensuring that disabled people who would make good parliamentary candidates are not denied the opportunity. I am particularly pleased to be focusing on this important issue during Scope's Time to Get Equal Week which celebrates the contribution disabled people make to our national life. During this week and throughout the year I will be focussed on building a fairer future for Britain.  I look forward to continued collaboration with Scope’s excellent projects in the months to come."‬  ‪

David Cameron MP, leader of the Conservative party, said:

“This is a great opportunity to publicise Scope’s excellent campaign on parliamentary representation as part of “Time to Get Equal” Week.  Scope has worked hard to encourage more disabled people to stand for Parliament, and to help break down the barriers which have stopped them doing so in the past. It’s vital that today’s political parties can draw on the talents of the whole community.  That is the only way to benefit from the very best representatives available, and to get the benefit of a diversity of experience in 21st century Britain.

“I am proud of the progress we have made in recent years in making sure that someone’s potential to be a good MP is the only factor that counts in being selected as a parliamentary candidate.  But there is more work to do.  I would certainly encourage any disabled person who is thinking of getting involved in politics – whatever their political views – to do so.”

Nick Clegg, MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

“Time to Get Equal is a fantastic campaign and encouraging more disabled people into Parliament couldn't be more timely. With all eyes on Westminster following weeks of revelations over MP's expenses, now is our chance to shine a light over all that is wrong with our out-of-date and out-of-touch political system - including the woeful under-representation of disabled people in politics.

"The Liberal Democrats are looking forward to working with Scope to help remove the barriers that make it difficult for disabled people to get into Parliament. Disabled People deserve the same opportunities as everyone else, and our politics will be better for it."

Scope has long campaigned to increase the representation of disabled people in politics. It has identified a number of barriers which prevent disabled people running for political office. These include a lack of financial support to fund equipment or information in alternative formats, a lack of peer support networks, as well as deeply entrenched perceptions that disabled people don’t make good MPs.

While significant progress has been made on increasing the number of women MPs and those from black and ethnic minority communities, disabled people are generally shut out of mainstream politics at a national level. Many high calibre disabled candidates are often passed over because of inflexible selection processes and access barriers.

Abigail Lock, Head of Campaigns and Advocacy at Scope, added:

“I hope this tremendous show of support from across the political divide will encourage more disabled people to put themselves forward as MPs and contribute to the much needed refresh of British politics.”

“While Scope welcomes a new approach to managing MPs expenses it is vital to ensure that any new system is not so rigid that it cannot adapt to the specific needs of a more diverse set of MPs. If we are to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, the system of expenses and allowances must be safe from abuse while still being flexible enough to meet the needs of different MPs in the most appropriate way.”

Scope has proposed a number of measures to help increase the representation of disabled people. These include developing an ‘access to public life’ fund to provide financial support to approved candidates who need help with meeting the additional costs associated with their disability, such as accessible transport or British Sign Language interpretation.

ENDS 
 
Notes to Editor:

Disabled people have an important and valuable contribution to make to the political process but all too often they are prevented from taking part. Disabled people make up approximately 20% of the population but there are only a handful of self-identified disabled politicians within the House of Commons.

The Party Leaders will be joined by Adrian Berrill-Cox, Conservative PPC for Islington North, Juliet Williams, Liberal Democrat PPC for Brighton Kemptown and Cllr Marie Pye, who is an approved Labour candidate currently seeking selection.

The Speaker's Conference is currently conducting an enquiry focusing on rectifying the disparity between the representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people in the House of Commons and their representation in the UK population at large

http://www.parliament.uk/business/speakers_conference/press_notice/speaker_conference_pn_081215.cfm

Scope has submitted evidence to the conference

Scope is a national disability organisation, with a focus on children and adults with cerebral palsy and people living with other severe and complex impairments. Our purpose is to drive the changes that will make our society the first in which disabled people are able to realise their full civil liberties and human rights.

Scope’s awareness-raising Time to Get Equal Week - which runs from June 8-14 - aims to celebrate disabled people’s contribution to society and also to raise public awareness about the discrimination still faced by disabled people.

To find out more about the campaign visit: www.timetogetequal.org.uk

Suzanne Stevenson
Press and PR Manager
Scope
6 Market Road
London N7 9PW
 
Tel: 020 7619 7203
Email: suzanne.stevenson@scope.org.uk