Does Northern Ireland need more women politicians?

There was a discussion on the second half of Hearts & Minds tonight about women in politics and specifically their under-representation in politics here. It did get me thinking, particularly when the women campaigning outside Stormont to get more female representation in political life all shyed away from being interviewed when asked!

I can't understand groups who protest for more female representation at Stormont. If they want to see more women elected then they'll have to vote for them - that's how democracy works. If they can't understand that then they've got some way to go before they're ready for office!

Follow up:

Seriously though, some doll from the Women's Coalition was on talking about the difficulties she faced in the Assembly in being taken seriously. She claimed people would start shuffling papers and having conversations with the person behind them or going for comfort breaks when she stood up to speak. I can well believe that, but having heard her speak and remembering Monica McWilliams only too well, I have a sneaking suspicion this lack of interest was much more to do with her party than her gender. Similarly Caitriona Ruane says she faces similar problems and has to ask the speaker to intervene and, similarly, I think this has much more to do with her long-running problem with verbal diarrhoea than it has to do with her gender.

You'll not be surprised to learn that I fundamentally disagree with Ms Ruane, who was claiming that "affirmative action" is needed. I find Sinn Fein far too quick to jump to discrimination as a means of dealing with under-representation when in it's little more than a quick fix, an easy answer and a kop-out.

Grown Ups Talking
Thankfully there was a much more serious discussion among the other panelists. Naomi Long said this behaviour wasn't only a problem for women and tackling it would improve the level of debate across the board as well as reduce the level of "pantomime politics" that puts many ordinary folk off politics and I think she's right. I've had numerous conversations with people on issues being discussed by politicians at any given time, but who never vote claiming "I've no faith in politics/politicians."

She also said we should be moving away from the confrontational politics that's so common here and move towards more constructive politics but I find that a bit simplistic. Arguments do have their place in ensuring that a policy is well thought out. I know from personal experience that a good 'wet-blanket' forces people to think their ideas through fully and consider all possible contingencies before implementation.

The SDLP's Dolores Kelly made a very valid point that women in politics wanted to feel that they were there because they could do the job, not because of some special treatment or favouritism. Likewise Naomi Long suggested women could find it more difficult to get involved due to traditionally having played caring roles in the family. However she also pointed out that this could also dissuade single fathers from becoming involved.

Cllr Deirdre Nelson, who was previously in investment banking in London (also a male-dominated profession) pointed out that the culture that accepts that women can do the same jobs as men has only developed in the past 15-20 years and that it will take time. This is a good point when you look at the number of our politicians who are over 50 and of the generation where women did stay at home and look after the family and make the tea. On the topic of affirmative action she pointed to the infamous Blair's Babes, many of whom were elected on all-women shortlists or otherwise achieved their position through discriminatory measures. These girls were flouted so shamelessly to the media as a sign of a modern, progressive party bringing new politics to Britain and then dropped when the people they wored for realised they just couldn't do the job. This is what happens when you consider people on criteria other than merit.

In short, yes, in an ideal world women would be more equally represented in politics and yes, there are things that could be done to encourage this but discrimination is not the way to go. Consideration of childcare and other methods of facilitating women who wish to become involved are certainly worth discussing. Forcing women who are under-qualified into jobs they can't do should be dropped right now, especially given the fact there's no evidence whatsoever for the oft-repeated claim that it would improve the standard of political discourse. Frankly, I think one of the participants in tonight's discussion is living evidence to the contrary. Guess if you can work out which one!