Express & Star

EU Referendum: Labour women 'take over' the EU agenda in Walsall

'Old white men' were nowhere to be seen as Labour women MPs descended on Walsall en masse as part of the campaign to keep Britain in the EU.

Published

A beaming Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz announced that women were 'taking over the EU agenda' as she gathered with 11 other politicians outside the Palfrey Sure Start centre in South Street.

The group, which arrived in the town aboard the deep-pink Labour In For Britain battle bus, also included Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds, Harriet Harman – last seen in the Black Country on a bright pink battle bus prior to last year's general election – and Angela Eagle.

Mrs Vaz said she had become frustrated that women had played a 'background role' in an EU debate dominated by male Tory politicians.

"As a party Labour is united behind 'remain' and I think it is important we show that women have a powerful voice in this debate.

"People who are going out to vote on June 23 need to see that their views are being represented.

"This campaign has seen the usual suspects from the Conservative Party putting across their arguments, now it is time to hear from other sections of the community, such as women MPs, students and businesswomen."

Last month Labour's shadow Europe minister Pat Glass caused a stir when she described old white men as a 'problem' during the EU referendum debate at a rally in Wolverhampton.

Men have widely been seen as the key figures on both sides of the EU argument, with David Cameron and George Osborne leading the 'remain' charge against Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Nigel Farage for 'leave'.

Ms Reynolds said that although she believes that everyone should have their say on Britain's future in the EU, there was 'little doubt' that 'Tory men' had dominated proceedings.

"I think in the last few weeks we have started to redress the balance," she added.

"The referendum is about such an important issue that will affect people's lives for years to come. I would urge women to think about what is best for them and their children. If we leave the EU it will be worse for trade and worse for jobs. If you listen to what major employers are saying, the vast majority want us to stay in the EU. If we leave the result will be that families will be worse off. I don't want to see that happening in my constituency."

Shadow Environment secretary Kerry McCarthy, said: "We are now in the final straight of a campaign, which at times has looked a bit like a bunch of overgrown public schoolboys arguing with each other.

"Some women are maybe not as confident with their opinions on the EU. They want know what is best for their families and their communities, but a lot of what has come out in the debate so far just seems like knee jerk responses.

"In a lot of cases it leaves people not knowing who to believe."

Miss Harman said 'the row in the Tory party' had blighted the EU referendum debate and had 'been of absolutely no help at all' to anyone in terms of deciding which way to vote.

"Plenty of people are still to make up their minds but if you are a Labour person you are not going to be the slightest bit interested in hearing David Cameron or Boris Johnson speaking up for things you care about," she said.

"This is such an important decision, affecting jobs, our health service, nursery places and the prospects for our children.

"A lot of household budgets are managed by women.

"So it is vital we get our message out there regarding the importance of Britain staying in the EU."

Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips said she was worried about the possibility of a low turnout in the wake of recent local council and police and crime commissioner elections.

"There is a concern that some people will have been put off by the nature of the debate and will stay away on polling day," she said.

"For a lot of people the arguments have been about figures and pound signs, which I think leaves them a bit cold.

"As politicians we have to get the point across that this is about the future of the services that people use.

"This is the most important decision that we will make as a country in my lifetime and I want to see people from every demographic getting out to vote."

During the Sure Start visit the MPs met with service users and staff at the centre, which has been rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in its last two inspections.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.