Tori Peck is a director of Women2Win .
It was the autumn of 2005. Tony Blair was sinking into his tricky third term. The Conservative Party was immersed in the tricky process of finding the fourth leader to challenge him.
As two men tussled to lead a Parliamentary Party of 91 per cent men, two women had started to work behind the scenes to ultimately change the face and direction of the Party; with the vision and tireless work of Anne Jenkin and Theresa May, Women2Win was born.
In the 20 years since, representation has risen from 9 to 24 per cent, increased numbers of women have stood at every election, every woman candidate has been offered a financial donation from us, and 114 new Conservative women MPs have been elected.
The organisation was created in response to a frustrating pace of change of Conservative women’s representation in Parliament. Ever since, Anne has delivered great progress. She has inspired, encouraged, championed, campaigned, head hunted and supported. She has made an impact like no other.
This has been possible due to the huge amount of support we have had from every Conservative leader, several male MP co-chairs, the donors that support our work and of course every woman who has put herself forward to stand.
We have always been committed to meritocracy, believing that if Associations have their pick of the best men and women, good women will be selected on their ability and determination alone.
The impact of the women we have supported has borne out this approach – women who have improved Parliament, politics and our Party. They have introduced landmark legislation, shaped and led Conservative thinking and again today, lead the Party.
The recent Budget proves the legacy of our approach compared to Labour’s positive discrimination and performative posturing – the ‘girl boss’ Chancellor delivering a budget that worsens women’s lives, believing her gender alone makes her worthy of praise and immune to criticism.
The challenges our country faces today require the best possible candidates and MPs. Brain drain has hit Parliament too and it is easy to see why the brightest and the best might no longer see politics as the best way to affect the change they want to. It’s never been more important that they are convinced to stand.
That’s why we support the rigorous new candidates process believing that these and proposed changes to selections will make the processes necessarily accountable and meritocratic, and deliver the best candidates.
And that’s why we are even more redoubt in our efforts to find and support the best possible women candidates- not because women are superior or inferior to men but because their lives and experiences are different. When 50 per cent of the population can’t compete equally, you lose out on 50 per cent talent.
We have been hugely encouraged to see so many new, talented women step forward since the last election to stand, inspired by a renewed Conservative Party and by Kemi Badenoch, to be part of a new generation of talent to lead.
These are women with the ideas and passion to challenge decline, committed campaigners, plugged into their communities, individuals with intellectual heft dedicated to strengthening democracy and raising standards in public life, who will represent and govern by Conservative values.
But we need more incredible women to be part of the party’s renewal and to reverse the stagnant change in representation seen at the last election. So, we are accelerating our action to find and support more great Conservative women to ensure that more are selected and elected.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, now is the time to join us. Generations of Women2Win have shaped the party and the country for the better, the next generation will be even more transformative.
This moment demands courage, talent and conviction and Women2Win exists to support women with these qualities to rise to the top. The path to renewed Conservative success means continuing to bring the best women to the table. So, join us today. Stand with us. And help shape another 20 years of Conservative leadership.
