School of Politics and International Relations

Dr Rainbow Murray, Best-ever election for women gives Britain a more balanced cabinet

12 May 2015

Seven women were named in David Cameron’s new cabinet (31 per cent). Dr Rainbow Murray says that while this is “still a far cry from gender equality, it should be noted that this compares favourably to the proportion of women in the parliamentary party (20 per cent), indicating that Cameron is striving to present a more representative image”. But in the context of a manifesto promising more cuts to benefits which are likely to have a negative effect on women, the key question is “whether having more women at the table will stop the government from making decisions that could damage their reputation – and destroy women’s lives,” says Dr Murray.
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