Why don't women......

Looking at recent postings on the subject, I can't answer for most women. But I can answer for myself. And usually do ;-)

Why am I not a Parliamentary candidate? Because I didn't become involved in politics actively until I was pregnant with my first child, and looking even at our Parliamentary Party today we see a massive split between our women MPs. Either they've got older family and have done the 'little kids' thing or they don't yet have young family. And any woman knows that quite simply getting a job whilst pregnant is a lot harder than getting a job and becoming pregnant while in it.
It's harder because you're tired, sick, walk like a duck with swollen ankles. It's hard because inevitably employers are less likely to employ you for all kinds of reasons, and proving it can be the hardest thing in the world, but the unspoken questions are there. Even in our Party occasionally people voice their views on parenting and PPCs in a slightly less than positive way. There's an enforced break at the end of it and the whole process is unpredictable. And people's reaction to you is unpredictable as well, even those close by. And whilst being an MP may be on the agenda one day for me it's in my own time.

I am a bureaucrat a la Mark Valladares. I have been in lots of different roles and am currently Regional Chair. However when I was talking to someone about whether to stand for chair, someone pretty senior, I was reminded of a meeting when I was on an executive when I turned up with my fourth child, to a meeting an hour and a half away. Joseph was then 4 weeks old. I had less than three months maternity leave in total, and was still trying to breastfeed. I brought Joseph along, arrived early, fed him quietly outside in the car, went into the meeting, was one of only a tiny handful of people to have reviewed the development plan which was the main item of discussion, and input to that. As a former project manager I asked questions of the business plan put forward for another item - again the only questions asked - and succeeded in getting some essential answers in order to allow a decision to be made. But somehow it wasn't quite the thing apparently - I should have been in confinement still. I should add, unlike his mother, Joseph sat quietly and unobtrusively in his car seat, and several members didn't know he was even there during the meeting. So why don't more women do it - I guess they feel as I do.

And as for blogging why did it take me so long? Frankly I didn't feel that I had anything worth saying - and many readers may well agree! I don't dedicate my entire life to politics, but work for a large youth organisation and have 5 kids as well as being a party volunteer. I would love to write a fantastically cerebral post a la James Graham. But when your thought streams in your spare time are interrupted by Tenor Horn practice, nappy changing, Balamory, today's tub words, the playgroup committee meeting, local Town Council discussions on Christmas lights, the Easter bonnet for next week - oh and the desire to just spend a few hours with your loved ones enjoying a roast dinner - you do wonder if anyone will be interested in reading what's going through your mind!!!

I've got to a point in my life where I am enjoying it. Every rich and varied moment. I have a brain a good degree and a high-flying professional background to boot. I am capable of deep and meaningful communication and thought. But right now PC Plum, Josie Jump, Archie and the mystery of the cow pats, and why my 2 year old has a constant green stream from his left nostril, coupled with a slight concern that it may be because he's poked the crust he didn't like yesterday up there, is taking priority in my spare time. And the day job is just what it says, the day job that takes up the work time.

To paraphrase Emma Thompson in 'Love Actually', 'Today my brothers are blogging to save the free world, and I made a lego dinosaur when I got in from a knackering day at work, whilst answering a party membership query on the phone and making up pints of blackcurrant and apple for the very grubby kids who wanted their paddling pool full, whilst wondering when the weeds in my new flower beds were going to get pulled up, and convincing a three year old that just because her brother had pulled Barbie's leg off, Barbie was still a princess and looking for superglue.' And I loved it.

Does that answer it?