International Women’s Day marked in High Peak

Shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh MP visited Buxton last week to speak to local women as part of International Women’s Day.
Mary Creagh MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport. listening to mothers at Fairfield's Childrens CentreMary Creagh MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport. listening to mothers at Fairfield's Childrens Centre
Mary Creagh MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport. listening to mothers at Fairfield's Childrens Centre

During the visit to Fairfield’s Sure Start Centre on Friday, Ms Creagh and local councillor Caitlin Bisknell spoke to local mums about issues affecting them.

She said: “I’m here because the Labour Party are running a series of consultation events on what women want.

“We’ve been going out across the country listening to women’s concerns about childcare, about the national health service, about the cost of housing, whether that is renting or buying, and concerns about employment and jobs, particularly in a rural area.”

High Peak MP Andrew Bingham also celebrated Saturday’s International Women’s Day by inviting two local sixth form students to Westminster for the day, as part of a Women in Parliament initiative.

The Women in Parliament APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) ran the initiative to help inspire girls to be more interested in politics or take a leading role in the community.

Katie Jones from New Mills and Bobbi Effanga from Glossop were nominated by their schools to take part. Both were given a tour of 10 Downing Street in the morning - as well as having a chance to watch Parliamentary debate from the public gallery - before shadowing Mr Bingham in the afternoon, including during his work on the Deregulation Bill Committee.

Mr Bingham said: “I was very pleased to welcome Bobbi and Katie to Westminster.

“I’ve always tried to do whatever I can to engage young people in the political process, so I was delighted to do my bit for International Women’s Day by inviting them to shadow me for the day.

“I’m not sure they left with a burning desire to become Members of Parliament, but I hope they found the day interesting and informative.”