women in london

On 28th May 2009 Women in London distributed a survey via its web site and mailing lists (primarily to women working or volunteering in women’s groups around the UK) and asked questions similar to the ones we circulated prior to the Elections in May 2008 to see whether women’s attitudes had changed in the past 12 months.

“ … will never ever vote Labour again, there is no socialist alternative so will support the Greens … “

We also included the question we asked last year about what is the best solution to funding for core women’s services as the situation does not seem to have improved since this time last year – http://womensgrid.freecharity.org.uk/?p=2641.

“ … devolving funding apportionment to Local Area Agreements has proven not workable. All too commonly Local Authorities do not have a gendered understanding of the complexities of men’s violence against women and children. Central government has a duty under CEDAW to ensure that all its citizens’ lives are safe and secure and this includes women and children. Central government must fund long-term funding and provide concise dates of action rather than constantly issuing false promises which are meaningless. … “

And because in the past twelve months we have entered a recession, lived with the consequences of a banking crisis and are now learning more about the depths of sleaze in the Parliamentary system, we included some additional questions from last year.

“ … I am the mother and sole carer for two young children (10 and 5), I work 3 days a week (in the charity sector) so that I can “be there” for my kids as they are growing up – I get child benefit, and child tax credits which cover childcare costs while I work – I live in a 1 bedroom privately rented flat and share a bed with my kids, I have no savings, I get no other benefits or financial support – I do not take more than I need and know that I will be better off financially when my kids are a bit older and I work full time. This is not a “poor me” story – My life is great, and I am generally a contented and optimistic person, and consider myself lucky and am glad to have left a destructive relationship although I am financially much worse off. The recent revelations however made me livid and feel so let down – and for the first time quite bitter – not a feeling I am familiar with. I have also felt rather depressed recently because of it: most of these people have never known real hardship, and have and have had so many life chances and opportunities and yet casually claim back more than I earn in a year. And all this when so many are losing their homes and jobs. I will not lower myself to their level, but at the moment I honestly feel like a mug for not being “on the take”. … “

The survey closed at 10pm on 2nd June, and we are releasing the results we have been able to compile in the intervening 24 hours, to coincide with the Elections on 4th June 2009.

• 38% think funding of core services should be a national policy with central funding
• 57% think there is only partly a “women’s vote”
• Violence Against Women is the most important issue in local elections
• Environment is most important issue in European elections
• 84% think they will vote
• More women intend to vote Green locally (up by 17% – Labour down 18%) and in Europe
• The majority of women have not been too badly impacted by the recession and banking crisis
• 92% think the Parliamentary expenses need to change, but have not changed their vote because of that
• Most women thought a General Election should only happen after deselection of MPS, reform of expenses and the voting system
• Nearly half thought that if women had been involved in decision making positions the situation would not be as bad.

You can download the full results as a word document by clicking here.