[dropcap type =”circle”]A[/dropcap]cross the country, celebrations have been taking place to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage, enshrined in law on 6 February 1918 by the Representation of the People Act.
Victoria Prentis, MP for North Oxfordshire, was joined by female colleagues from across the House of Commons to celebrate their right to vote. Later on today, a Minister will make a statement to the House to mark the occasion, while the 1918 Act has been on display in Central Lobby.
In the build-up to the centenary, Victoria has been sharing the stories of local women who have sought elected office and made an impact on the area. All the stories can be found on her website at www.victoriaprentis.com/herstory.
Victoria said: “This is a really historic day for those who were denied the right to democracy for centuries. We have come a long way in the last one hundred years, and it is an honour to sit on the green benches alongside so many female colleagues who are making a real impact on the future of our nation. It is even more exciting to see the next generation of young women getting involved and making their mark. I am sure Emmeline Pankhurst and all those who fought so hard for women’s suffrage would be extremely proud today. At the same time, we must not forget those who still do not have the right to vote and should continue to do what we can to see universal suffrage across the world.”
Oxfordshire MPs: (L-R) Victoria Prentis (Conservative, North Oxfordshire), Anneliese Dodds (Labour, Oxford East), and Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat, Oxford West and Abingdon)
