105 107 Liberal Democrats, including dozens of parliamentary candidates and councillors, 4 MPs and 2 members of the House of Lords, have now signed up to the Reflecting Britain campaign, which was launched last week.

The Reflecting Britain campaign is calling on the Lib Dem leadership contenders to support the work of the Gender Balance and Ethnic Minority Election Task Forces. These groups exist to encourage more women and BME members to put themselves forward as parliamentary candidates and helps them by providing training, support and mentoring. The Gender Balance Task Force successfully lead to a marked increase in female MPs at the last General Election, but it has always struggled to receive adequate funding.

The MPs signing up in the last couple of days include party high-flyer and spokesperson on Europe Nick Clegg.

The former chair of the Gender Balance Task Force Baroness Harris has signed up. Commenting, she said:

“It is imperative that women play their part in political policy and decision making. Our party may have accepted this tacitly, but it is now time to ensure our new leader addresses this question as a matter of urgency.”

The Chair of the Ethnic Minority Election Task Force Cllr Rabi Martins has also signed up. He said:

“I honestly cannot see how the Party will make the breakthrough in the next general election without significant support from our ethnic minority citizens. And we are unlikely to get that support until we are seen as a Party that is inclusive at every level. That is why it is important that we hear what the leadership candidates have to say on this subject.”

The Reflecting Britain Campaign has asked the leadership contenders to sign up to a statement supporting the Gender Balance and Ethnic Minority Election Task Forces. In addition, it has asked them to respond to five questions about how best to ensure the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party is made more diverse. The answers received from the candidates will be published on the website on 1 February.

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