Only one is a woman – actress Helena Bonham Carter who was one of the small number of girls who have been let into the Sixth Form at Westminster School & was there at the same time as young Nick. Another snippet at the top of the page tells us that Ruth Kelly, who made it as a member of the Cabinet over 5 years ago, was also in the Westminster sixth form at the same time, though she does not count as one of the influential circle having decided to settle for a life outside politics.
Rather than just bang on about the lack of women etc etc I am wondering who might be thought worth including in any similar circles of influence of any of the women MPs currently at Westminster. I suspect not too many would include such a well known cast, & that in itself would be really instructive about the need, which still exists, for women to learn to start schmoozing like men.
The picture would probably be very different if we looked at the women who are in the House of Lords. Not only are they (I guess) on average older than the women in the Commons, but many will have forged their reputations & careers outside politics with a richer & more varied list of mentors, friends & professional colleagues.
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