The only Woman from Wales here for 14 years

Posted on March 8th, 2008 filed in Ann Clwyd, People, Politics

Aberdare’s MP Ann Clwyd ponders being “the only woman from Wales here for 14 years” at the House of Commons this week.

Her contributions came in a debate on International Women’s Day at the House of Commons on Thursday, 6 March 2008.

Speaking in the House, Ann Clwyd MP says : “I am pleased to see all the women in the House, because I know from personal experience how difficult it has been for women to be elected. I was the only woman from Wales here for 14 years, so like my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister, I am pleased to see more women in the House. It was a long fight; there had been only three women MPs from Wales before I was elected in 1984, two of whom were daughters of famous men. One was Lloyd George’s daughter, and the other was the daughter of the then Deputy Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The third was Dorothy Rees, who was unfortunately defeated after one year. That is why some of us speak with considerable feeling about the difficulties of getting here.” – Source Hansard, via TheyWorkForYou

Later in the debate, Mrs Clwyd mentions a meeting in Denbigh, her home town, where Leonora Cohen, one of Emmeline Pankhurst’s suffragettes, spoke, at the age of 97!

You can read Ann Clwyd’s fascinating and poignant account here.

Although no one can deny Aberdare’s MP shows enthusiasm for extending the vote, there are exceptions where Ann Clwyd does not wish to offer people the opportunity to vote. A day previously, on 5th March 2008, the House of Commons voted on whether a National Referendum should be held on the revived EU Constitution. Ann Clwyd MP voted against holding a referendum.

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