Exhibition is not to be missed, says MP

An MP is urging any constituents visiting London in the next few months to see an important new exhibition telling the story on women’s fight to vote.

Gavin Newlands MP has visited the Vote: Women’s Place in Parliament exhibition with his daughter and is inviting constituents across Renfrewshire to go.

The free exhibition in Westminster Hall tells the hidden “her-story” of the UK Parliament : the campaigning, the protests and the achievements.

It also examines where we are today, and shows that anyone can make change happen and exercise their democratic rights.

Mr Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: “It is important for people to be able to come and hear the story of this hidden history.

“Not only should we remember those who fought for the democratic rights we have today, but I would urge everyone to make their voices heard in our democracy today.

“I was proud to be able to attend the exhibition with my eight-year-old daughter to show her the long battle women faced to get the vote and, hopefully, inspire her to ensure that she demands equality throughout her life.”

Among the items on display are recreations of lost historical spaces of the Palace of Westminster, rare and previously unseen historic objects, pictures and archives from the Parliamentary collections and elsewhere.

2018 marks 100 years since The Representation of the People Act 1918 extended the right to vote to all men over 21 and the first women.

Ten years later, all men – and women over 21 – were given the equal right to vote under the Representation of the People Act 1918 (Equal Franchise Act 1928.)