The Enduring Inequalities of British Politics: Muslim Women’s Representation

• In Event: Instability and Inequality in British Democracy

Abstract

Using the theoretical framework of intersectionality and with reference to the Asymmetric Power Model, this article explores enduring inequalities in the descriptive representation of ethnic minorities in British politics. It does this by examining the case study of the experience of Muslim women in the Labour Party. Original interview data is used to centre the voices of Muslim women political activists who have had their political ambitions thwarted by sexist discrimination within the party.

This paper will show that our political institutions, including our political parties, do not exist in a vacuum and structural inequalities that exist in society are replicated within our political system. In order to make our politics more representative of the country, parties should think about what tools they can use to better encourage diversity among their electoral candidates, at the local and national level. In terms of the Labour Party, if it does not improve the prospects of its Muslim women members who want to stand for election, it risks losing the experience and knowledge that they offer and its reputation as the most welcoming party to ethnic minorities and women.

Author

• Farah Hussain, Queen Mary, University of London