Conservative

This is a space to publicise the Conservative party responses to the What About Women campaign questions.

Conservatives on Economy
Today the tax and benefits system rewards couples who split up...

Conservatives on Work and Family
The causes of the gender pay gap are complex and deep-rooted...

Conservatives on Crime and Justice
In 2008 we published a strategy document titled ‘Ending Violence Against Women’...

Conservatives on Democracy
When he was elected as Party Leader in 2005 David Cameron made increasing the number of women and BME candidates a top priority...

Conservatives on Attitudes and Culture
There has been a huge shift in our cultural attitudes towards women...

Conservatives on Equality and Human Rights
The first step is to ensure that the Equality Bill actually passes before the election is called...

Comments Received:

"It's more what they don't say than what they do that's most alarming. Any repudiation of the HRA, as repeatedly intimated by Conservative spokesmen would have an immediate and tangible impact on the UK's already poor record on implementing the pretty consistently positive judgments for example on equal leave entitlement for agency/temp workers to come out of Strasbourg."    
Submitted by: Michael Hocken

"Well now we know, the Conservatives didn't have any thoughts on the question what about women!"
Submitted by: Sarah Greene

"Identifies some of the problems, but no answer about how to tackle the increased sexualisation of women.  Better than Labour's answers, but doesn't go far enough."
Submitted by: Jan Knott

"While it is commendable that the Conservatives do not want women to be penalised for care work, it is worrying that they do not question the assumption that care work is undertaken by women.  Ensuring the right to flexible working for men as well as women would be much more effective.  Compulsory pay audits are also needed in order to prove discrimination - if they are not undertaken until after discrimination has been proven, women will be trapped in a vicious circle and companies will be allowed to continue discriminatory practices."
Submitted by: Rainbow Murray

"Wiffle waffle on the whole!"
Submitted by: Jenny Armstrong

"Empty rhetoric and as previous commentator succinctly said 'little of real substance.' 
Apparently the issue of popular culture and media's powerful portrayal of women and girls as males' sexual service stations is not an issue, instead it is supposedly an issue which schools alone should address.  How can we address women's rights when women and girls continue to be portrayed as males' sexualised commodities."  
Submitted by: Jennifer Drew

"It seems obvious from answer to question 2 that most Conservatives really believe a woman's place is in the home, and that they do not believe women can match men in the Board room or even in higher management structures."
Submitted by: Ian McDonald

"I am very concerned that a new Conservative government will regress rights for women in prostitution. The last time I heard Theresa May speak on this issue she said that the Conservatives believed in the 'free market' and that women make a free choice to 'work' in the 'sex industry'.  Will the party be committed to convicting men who buy women in prostitution who have been forced or coerced for gain (as introduced in the new PCB)? How will they fund harm minimisation and exit services for prostituted women, and ensure a more equal economy where no woman is forced into prostitution through poverty?"
Submitted by: F Mackay

"The wily ones. If I didn't know who had answered the questions, I'd have picked these as some of the best answers. "
Submitted by: Molly

"Good words, lots of hope, little of real substance or impact?"
Submitted by: Jackie Longworth