Val Jones, President of SI Cannock & District welcomed Amanda Milling MP as the club’s speaker in August.The President’s theme for the year is ‘Women in Power’ and the Cannock Chase MP spoke to the group about women in Politics.
Amanda spoke about her life as a female MP – she became the 433rd female MP ever elected and the first female MP for the current Cannock Chase constituency.
Over the last 25 years the percentage of female MPs has risen from below 10% to 32%, however if all of the female MPs ever elected were in Parliament together, there would still not be enough to fill the 650 Commons’ seats.
Amanda Milling told Soroptimists and their guests that it was a pleasure to speak to them and discuss women in politics. She told them that she has always been fascinated by politics but had never imagined that one day she would be an MP. She said that she thinks more women should get involved in local and national politics and she hopes to see more female MPs in Parliament.
After speaking of her experiences being a ‘newbie’ MP and having to find her way around Parliament and the many protocols MPs have to adhere to, the Cannock Chase MP concluded by saying what an honour and a privilege it is to serve as the MP for Cannock Chase and to represent all of the people of the constituency in Parliament. For her this is the best job in the world and she has been proud to make good things happen for local people.
Val Jones, President of SI Cannock & District, said: “The members were fascinated to hear about traditions and stories she told us about and the work she does in the constituency and in Parliament. I can see why the Speaker has labelled her ‘the voice of Cannock Chase’ in Parliament.”
Everyone present enjoyed the talk Amanda gave and appreciated that she had spent the evening with them.
Soroptimist Trish Mellor gave the vote of thanks, commending Amanda for her excellent and tireless work as a constituency MP, helping everyone who turns to her for help or advice, as well as congratulating her for the positions she has been invited to take on many parliamentary committees and also within the Foreign Office.
The group presented Amanda with a cheque from the Club for a charity close to her heart – the Hibbs Lupus Trust.
For more information on the work of the club, or to arrange to come along to a meeting, please visit their website: www.sigbi.org/cannock-and-district or their Facebook page www.facebook.com/SICannock; or email si.cannock@outlook.com
Photo: Val Jones, President, SI Cannock & District with Amanda Milling MP