MERIDEN MP Dame Caroline Spelman took part in commemorative events being held in the lobby of the House of Commons on February 6 to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage.
The 1918 Representation of the People Act gave the vote to women over the age of 30 who met minimum property qualifications. This Act also extended the franchise to all men over the age of 21.
Commemorative events began with a photo call of all past and present women MPs in the central lobby of the House of Commons and a reception hosted in Westminster Hall.
Mrs Spelman, who was elected 20 years ago and currently serves as the Second Church Estates Commissioner, took part in the event.
She said: “The fight to secure women the vote was won in 1918 but there are still many battles to fight, such as equal pay, sexual exploitation and even something as basic as getting mother’s names on marriage certificates, so this centenary just reminds me, out of respect for the suffragettes, to keep up the fight for equality.”
