53-632: Catherine Mayer (born 24 January 1961) is an American-born British author and journalist, and the co-founder and President of the Women's Equality Party (WE) in the UK. Mayer was born in the US and later became naturalised as British. She moved to Britain as a child when her father, the theatre historian David Mayer , came to research a book and later secured employment at Manchester University , where his students included Ben Elton and Rik Mayall . Her mother, Anne Mayer Bird,
106-571: A women's equality party in Iceland ; and Hannah McGrath , who discussed the practicalities of starting a party. The meeting was covered on Woman's Hour and by the press, including Glamour magazine and the London Evening Standard . A second meeting took place at Conway Hall on 18 April, and included Sandi Toksvig, Mandy Colleran , Nimko Ali , Shabnam Shabazi and Stella Duffy as speakers. On 30 April, Toksvig announced that she
159-679: A baby, as well as an extra 10 months of shared leave at statutory pay. Writing in the Daily Mirror , Toksvig stated that the party further proposed that industrial tribunal costs be reduced from over £1,000 to "£50 for those who can afford it" in order to "empower all women to speak out about sexism at work." The party launched its full set of policies on 20 October 2015 at Conway Hall. The inaugural Women's Equality Party conference took place in Manchester on 25–27 November 2016, with opening speeches by founders Catherine Mayer and Sandi Toksvig on
212-572: A failed attempt by the leadership of the WEP and the Green Party of England and Wales to formalise a partnership, with the motion to allow this failing to muster support at the Green Party conference. At a special conference on 17 November 2024, 78% of members voted to dissolve the party, surpassing the 75% threshold for this vote to pass. The party's mission statement opened with: "Equality for women isn't
265-427: A fantasy cabinet of women, and I didn't care which party they came from, we had Doreen Lawrence as our Home Secretary . Can you imagine anything more wonderful? We had paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson as our Sports Minister , and I asked them to put forward practical suggestions. The world is in a parlous state, 9.1 million women failed to vote in the last election , we need to attract them, we also need to attract
318-426: A platform on the environment or anything else, we are focusing absolutely narrowly on that equality agenda." Party leader Walker agreed: "We won't have policies on other issues. We are going to concentrate, laser-like, on all of the above, to make them happen. And we will welcome people from any other political party that agrees with our values of diversity and inclusivity to work with us." However, Walker promised that
371-436: A very long time. The village sign reflects this – it features a farmer with his horse-drawn plough, working the farmland around Pettaugh, an anvil, indicating the existence of a blacksmith in the village, essential to farming in the days of horse-drawn ploughs, and the windmill which stood at the centre of the village. Thus are the main occupations of Pettaugh residents of 'yesteryear' represented – farming, smithing and milling
424-461: A women's issue. When women fulfil their potential, everyone benefits. Equality means better politics, a more vibrant economy, a workforce that draws on the talents of the whole population and a society at ease with itself". Describing the six aims, Mayer said: "It's a very narrow palette, we're not looking to be a party that can answer questions about what should be done in the Ukraine, or trying to have
477-477: Is it, almost a hundred years since we finally got the vote, it's time we stepped up and took our equal place in society." She also stated the party's motto, "Equality is better for everybody". Mayer has also stated, "I'm very happy with the name: all genders are joining us and I hope they continue to. More than half the population is living in inequality and that is genuinely not good for everyone, economically or culturally." The party did not field any candidates in
530-542: Is prominent within theatre PR. Mayer attended Manchester High School for Girls , and studied English Literature and European Studies at the University of Sussex (1978–82). One of her sisters is The Young Ones co-writer (with Mayall) Lise Mayer , while another is the theatre agent Cassie Mayer. Mayer started her career at The Economist and has worked as a foreign correspondent at the German news weekly Focus . Mayer
583-462: The 2015 general election , but planned to do so when the next election was assumed to be in 2020. Walker told BBC Radio Wales ' Sunday Supplement programme that the party would be taking a non-partisan approach to elections, stating that "We will be undertaking consultations with our members and deciding which seats to target". Figures from the party suggested that there was a possibility that an existing Member of Parliament (MP) might defect to
SECTION 10
#1733094461889636-527: The Cities of London and Westminster stood aside to support the Liberal Democrats after they agreed to implement a WEP policy to challenge two MPs, one accused of writing sexist messages online and the other of grabbing and manhandling a female environmental protester. The party put up candidates in more than 20 of the local elections of 2019 . The party saw its first councillor, Kay Wesley, elected. Wesley
689-682: The Electoral Commission on 20 July 2015. On 22 July, Reuters journalist Sophie Walker was announced as the party's first leader. Walker went on to stand in Shipley at the 2017 general election, but lost to Conservative Party MP and men's rights activist Philip Davies . The party announced its first leadership contest in December 2017. Nominations opened on 5 January 2018, and closed on 24 January. Two candidates were nominated: interim leader Sophie Walker and Magda Devas, who had previously run for
742-569: The Green Party in the Streatham Wells ward in the Lambeth London Borough Council election of 2010 and that of 2014 . The ballot opened on 14 February 2018, and closed on 6 March; Walker was declared the winner on 8 March. Walker had been due to serve a five-year term until 2023 but resigned 10 months later, stating "sometimes in order to lead, you have to get out of the way". She was replaced by interim leader Mandu Reid ,
795-567: The Welsh Assembly election in South Wales Central (Sharon Lovell, Emma Rose, Sarah Rees and Ruth Williams). Supporters of the WEP's election bid included: Emma Thompson , Lily Allen , Hugh Quarshie , Tanya Moodie , Philippa Perry , Jack Monroe , Jo Brand , Rosie Boycott and Caitlin Moran . The WEP did not win any seats in the elections: Walker gained 53,055 votes (2.04%) in
848-766: The local elections of 2023 . Kay Wesley was re-elected to Congleton Town Council for the South East Ward (925 votes, a 12.2% share and 43.3% voters supporting on multi-vote ballot) and a second party candidate, Susan Mead, elected in Congleton North East (702 votes, a 15.3% share and 45.7% voters supporting on multi-vote ballot). Wesley narrowly missed election to Cheshire East Council by 19 votes (polling 1132, an 11.5% share and 30.2% of voters choosing WEP on multi-vote ballots). WEP Candidate Stacy Hart came second in Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, with 925 votes to
901-518: The 14 candidates, receiving 506 votes (2.3%). The party put forward three candidates at the 2019 general election, all of whom lost their deposits, due to winning a low number of votes. These constituencies have previously had an MP suspended from his respective party because of allegations of sexual assault or harassment, although all three MPs that had been accused did not seek re-election. Two prospective WEP candidates in Sheffield Hallam and
954-827: The 50ft. Women was published in 2017. The book covers the benefits of gender equality and how it is being promoted in various countries, and has been described as "a compelling feminist call to arms". Her memoir Good Grief , which incorporates letters written by her mother and covers the death of both women's husbands and the coronavirus pandemic, was published by HarperCollins in December 2020, with an updated paperback edition in February 2022. Reviewing Good Grief in The Observer , Kate Kellaway called it "smart, upbeat and brimming with fortitude", and those who also gave endorsements and praise included Kate Mosse , who described it as "a perfect book, specific and personal, but spot on about
1007-722: The Conference included CEO of the Young Women’s Trust Carole Easton , psychologist Carolyn Kagan , former President of the National Union of Students Shakira Martin , sexual harassment lawyer Dr. Ann Olivarius , and Swedish politician Gudrun Schyman . A seventh goal of the party was added to the existing six at the party's first conference. The second party conference took place in Kettering in September 2018. Among
1060-534: The Conservatives' 1000 (36.8% vote/voter share). On 8 April, Women's Equality Party candidate, Sarah Pattison was appointed to Stinsford Parish Council, Dorset, in an uncontested election. In the 2024 local elections a Women's Equality Party candidate, Stacy Hart, was elected to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the Hatch Warren & Beggarwood ward; Hart was elected with 1,659 votes (61.6%), gaining
1113-477: The Women's Equality Party, which was co-founded by Mayer (see below); Mayer and Olivarius were featured in a 2018 episode of Thomson Reuters Legal UK & Ireland’s podcast series, "The Hearing." Mayer's lawsuit prompted other journalists to seek legal advice about sexual discrimination and ended with an "amicable resolution" in 2018. In 2011 Mayer wrote Amortality: The Pleasures and Perils of Living Agelessly about
SECTION 20
#17330944618891166-545: The benefit of all. The launch meeting was on 28 March 2015 under the title "The Women's Equality Party needs you. But probably not as much as you need the Women's Equality Party". The party's full policy was launched by its then-leader Sophie Walker at Conway Hall on 20 October 2015. In January 2020, Mandu Reid took over as the party's leader. The party had one principal authority councillor on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council , elected in 2024 . It also had two seats on Congleton Town Council , where Kay Wesley served as
1219-507: The county of Suffolk. It is in a rural location surrounded by farmland, at the junction of the A1120 (Stowmarket to Yoxford) and the Coddenham to Debenham roads. An aerial view of Pettaugh shows a few houses surrounded on all sides by a patchwork of farm fields. Years ago the fields may have been smaller, with lots more hedges, but farm fields surrounding the village is probably the way it's been for
1272-420: The first day, and Sophie Walker's leader's speech on the second day. Motions carried at the conference include: a motion to expand the UK's definition of hate crime to include misogyny ; a motion to strengthen the legislation for carers who need flexible working arrangements; and a motion to fully decriminalise abortion across the UK (the current Abortion Act excludes Northern Ireland). Other speakers at
1325-618: The first round of voting for London mayor . The party's best result was on the London-wide list where it finished sixth with 91,772 votes (3.5%). Anne Beetham gained 2,091 votes (0.8%) in Glasgow and Lee Chalmers gained 3,877 votes (1.2%) in Lothian . Overall the WEP obtained 5,968 votes, 0.3% of the Scottish vote. Sharon Lovell, Emma Rose, Sarah Rees and Ruth Williams gained 2,807 votes, 1.2% of
1378-458: The grain, mostly working very close to home. Today, residents of Pettaugh commute to nearby towns to work – to Debenham, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds , and even by train to London; very few earn a living in or near to the village. Even the children catch buses or are driven by parents to schools in Stonham Aspal , Debenham , Helmingham , etc. Occupations may have changed but Pettaugh thrives, at
1431-686: The local elections in May 2019. Mayer stood as the lead candidate for the party in the 2019 European Elections in London. Mayer co-founded the Primadonna Festival in 2019, a festival of ideas, writing, music and comedy at Laffitt's Hall in Pettaugh , Suffolk, aiming to give prominence to women and to new voices. The festival awards the Primadonna Prize "for unsigned and unrepresented new writing talent". Mayer
1484-464: The mayoral election with 21,182 votes (0.8%). The party also stood on the London-wide list in the 2021 London Assembly election , coming fifth with 55,684 votes (2.2%), a fall compared to their previous result. It also stood 3 candidates in the Lothian region (coming tenth with 0.3%, down 0.9% from the previous election) and 4 candidates in the Glasgow region (coming tenth with 0.3%, down 0.5% from
1537-756: The mayorship, automatically she's almost excluded". However, in October 2015, the party announced its intention to field candidates in the 2016 London Assembly election . Following various fundraisers, the party was able to field candidates in the 2016 London elections (Walker in the Mayoral election , plus candidates for the London Assembly ); Scottish Parliament election , Glasgow region (Anne Beetham, Susan Mackay, Ruth Wilkinson, Calum Shepherd, Penelope Haddrill, Carol Young) and Lothian region (Lee Chalmers, Jennifer Royston, Catriona MacDonald and Abigail Herrmann); and
1590-575: The more than 7 million men who didn't vote. Why are people not engaged in politics, because I don't think that the people standing represent the diversity of this country." Mayer phoned Toksvig, and the two agreed to become co-founders of the party. The first meeting of the as yet unnamed party was on 28 March 2015. Speakers included: Suzanne Moore , who had previously stood for parliament as an independent candidate; Sophie Walker , who spoke on careers, parenting and ensuring that both parents have opportunities in both; Halla Gunnarsdóttir , who described
1643-567: The motions passed was one supporting the People's Vote campaign calling for a public vote on the final Brexit deal between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The party supports removing abortion from criminal law and supporting safe access to abortions. In November 2022, the party voted in support of a motion to back gender self-identification . Of the party members who took part in
Catherine Mayer - Misplaced Pages Continue
1696-528: The panelists agreeing collegially with each other on almost every point, Mayer stood up and said, "What about if I found a Women's Equality Party, tell you what, I'm going to go to the bar afterwards, anyone interested in discussing this come and see me." On 8 March 2015 ( International Women's Day ), at the same festival, comedian Sandi Toksvig presented an event entitled "Sandi Toksvig's Mirth Control: Stand Up and Be Counted". Interviewed by Jenni Murray on BBC Radio 4 's Woman's Hour , Toksvig said: "I had
1749-523: The party before the party contested an election, citing the example of how the UK Independence Party got its first MPs. although this did not happen. Initially Walker neither ruled in or out the possibility of a WEP candidate in the 2016 London mayoral election : "We'd like to. It's a £20,000 losable deposit, though. If you're Zac Goldsmith that's not such a big deal but if a woman from a normal background wants to speak out for women and do it with
1802-519: The party reported that it had 65,000 members. The WEP was described as "the fastest growing political force in the UK" in a Daily Telegraph article on the party's campaigning for the May 2016 London mayoral election . The party's membership reportedly grew from 25,000 to 55,000 in the month following the European Union membership referendum . In September 2020, it was reported that the party's membership
1855-682: The party's first Town Mayor , and had a seat on Stinsford Parish Council. On 2 March 2015, author and journalist Catherine Mayer attended a "Women in Politics" event at the Women of the World Festival (at the Southbank Centre in central London). The panel was chaired by Jude Kelly (Artistic Director, Southbank Centre), and the panel consisted of Katie Ghose (CEO, Electoral Reform Society ), Margot James ( Conservative ), Stella Creasy ( Labour ) and Jo Swinson ( Lib Dem ). Having watched
1908-484: The party's first leader, Sophie Walker , at Conway Hall on 20 October 2015. In February 2018 Mayer stated: "The party also welcomed all genders. Everyone is born with a sex, usually, though not always, male or female. Gender is the product of social and cultural factors that can be changed. The very first policy document made clear that WE supported "the right of all to define their sex or gender or to reject gendered divisions as they choose." The party won its first seat in
1961-595: The party's national spokesperson on equal parenting and caregiving, its candidate in the 2018 Lewisham East by-election , and the CEO of period poverty charity The Cup Effect. In October 2024, it was reported that the party's founders planned to dissolve the WEP pending the approval of the party's membership in November, citing financial difficulties and changes in the political environment. The party then had about 5,600 members and 24,000 registered supporters. This reportedly followed
2014-534: The party's working definition of the word "woman", as well as more detail of the party's policies, would be covered in its policy launch, following consultation with party members. Early indications of what to expect included Walker's call for a gender quota system to select MPs at the following two elections so that equal representation could be achieved in the House of Commons by 2025. Walker also called for six weeks' paid leave, at 90% pay, for both parents after having
2067-424: The previous election) for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election . The party stood 2 candidates in the 2022 City of London Corporation election , both of whom came last in their wards. Harini Iyengar received an 11.1% share of the vote in the ward of Bread Street out of 4 candidates, while Alison Smith received a 3.2% share of the vote in the ward of Portsoken out of 7 candidates. The party stood 14 candidates in
2120-510: The pros and cons of people living longer. Her 2015 biography of Prince Charles , published in the UK as Charles: The Heart of a King and in the US as Born to Be King , generated worldwide headlines with its claims of dysfunction in the royal courts. Clarence House , which had facilitated access to the Prince, distanced itself from the book. Mayer stood by the content. The book was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller. Mayer's non-fiction Attack of
2173-459: The seat from Conservatives. In the 2024 general election , the party put forward four candidates: Reportedly, 1,300 people joined the party on the day that it opened up membership, which costs £4 per month. In the first financial year, the party raised £512,219 in membership fees. As of 13 October 2015 , 65 local and regional Women's Equality Party groups had been founded, and in July 2016
Catherine Mayer - Misplaced Pages Continue
2226-548: The total vote in South Wales Central . The overall total number of votes cast for the party in Scotland, Wales and London was 350,000. Tabitha Morton from Netherton stood in the Liverpool City Region mayoral election . She came seventh, receiving 4,287 first round votes (1.5%). In the 2017 general election the party stood seven candidates. None were elected, and all lost their deposits. The best result among them
2279-483: The universal nature of grief and how we grieve. Every page sings." Mayer co-founded the Women's Equality Party with Sandi Toksvig in March 2015 and is its President. The party has core objectives: equal representation, equal pay, equality in and through the media, equal education, equal health, shared opportunities in parenting and caregiving and an end to violence against women; its first policy commitments were launched by
2332-502: The vote at the party's conference, 138 voted in favour of gender self-identification, while 29 opposed, and 5 abstained. The party's name was "debated and discussed at two public meetings". When Toksvig was asked why the party was named the Women's Equality Party, rather than just the Equality Party, she answered: "Because there is a huge issue, women are certainly not equal.... It's time that women, finally, after all these years, what
2385-426: The words "Womens Equality Party" onto 2p coins and then returning them into circulation. ( Suffragettes had also defaced pennies. ) Pettaugh Pettaugh is a village and civil parish located within the district council area of Mid Suffolk , England . It is a small village of a little over 200 inhabitants in 85 households, 10 miles north of Ipswich and 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles south of Debenham , in
2438-455: Was 30,000. On 26 October 2024, it was reported that the party has "more than 5,600 paying members and about 24,000 registered supporters". The party's first fundraiser , held in front of 400 people, including businesswoman Martha Lane Fox , took place at Conway Hall on 9 June 2015. In September that year Toksvig announced the dates for a comedy tour to raise funds for the party. In the party's first year (ending 31 December 2015) £512,219
2491-473: Was by Sophie Walker coming fourth in Shipley against the sitting Conservative MP Philip Davies, a men's rights and anti-political correctness campaigner. The party targeted Davies's seat because of his role in blocking legislation that would have implemented better support for domestic violence victims, and because of his public comments about women, people with disabilities and LGBT people. Academics Emily Harmer and Rosalynd Southern write that: "Targeting Davies
2544-424: Was controversial due to fears over potential vote-splitting and the fact that the WEP failed to engage with local feminist groups". The full list of WEP candidates in the 2017 general election is below: The party put up candidates in more than 30 elections in the local elections of 2018 . None were elected. Mandu Reid stood as a candidate for the WEP in the 2018 Lewisham East by-election ; she came fifth out of
2597-462: Was leaving her position as compère of Radio 4's The News Quiz in order to help set up the new political party , which was now named the Women's Equality Party. Speaking at the Hay Festival in May, Toksvig reported that since she had announced the move on BBC One's The One Show , she had been subjected to a significant level of abuse online . The Women's Equality Party was registered with
2650-440: Was married to the musician Andy Gill of Gang of Four , from 1999 until his death in February 2020. Women%27s Equality Party The Women's Equality Party ( WEP ) was a feminist political party set up in the United Kingdom in 2015. The idea was conceived by Catherine Mayer and Sandi Toksvig at the Women of the World Festival , when they concluded that there was a need for a party to campaign for gender equality to
2703-471: Was president of the Foreign Press Association in London from June 2003 until June 2005. She worked at Time magazine from 2004 to April 2015, serving as Time ' s Editor at Large, Europe Editor, London Bureau Chief and Senior Editor. Mayer began legal action against Time in July 2017 on the grounds of age and gender discrimination. Her attorney was Dr. Ann Olivarius , a founding member of
SECTION 50
#17330944618892756-502: Was raised through membership fees, £38,528 through fundraising activities and £79,212 was raised through donations. The artist Damien Hirst created a piece of work for auction entitled "Spin Drawing for Women's Equality" (2015). The piece, which contained the party's colours, raised £20,000 when it was auctioned in April 2016. The artists Jake and Dinos Chapman also began a campaign, stamping
2809-515: Was standing as the sole Women's Equality Party candidate and received 1250 votes (a 5.7% share of the vote) to represent the East Ward on Congleton Town Council . In January 2020, Mandu Reid was announced as the party leader following her role as interim leader since early 2019. Reid was the party's candidate for the 2021 London mayoral election on 6 May 2021, having replaced Sue Black, who had to withdraw for health reasons. Reid finished tenth in
#888111