This submission is based on the views, conversations and testimonials of individuals who have taken part in our great democratic process of standing for public office. It is submitted on behalf of the National Muslim Women's Advisory Group. (NMWAG)

1.  Are problems caused by the unbalanced representation in the House of Commons of different groups in society?

  1.1  An emphatic Yes.

2.  If so, what are those problems?

  2.1  The fact that the House of Commons, senior management and board of organisations; councillors and MPs remain predominantly white, male, middle class and able bodied, suggest that they are incapable of fully understanding and therefore meeting the needs of the people that they represent and the wider society that they are a part of.

  2.2   As a result, the unbalanced representation in the House of Commons would suggest that these people are culturally insensitive and out of touch with the strengths and skills that candidates from BME backgrounds can offer, which would directly impact policy making.

   2.3  Assumptions and stereotypes further add to the distorted perceptions of the unrepresented group which are perpetuated in decision and policy making. Decisions made in a vacuum further exacerbate disadvantage. The subsequent criteria for assessment and selection ends up offering advantage to the existing "in" groups.

  2.4  The lack of understanding of the experiences, motivations and finer cultural nuances of different racial groups, distances government from the very people that it should be representing.

3.  Is there a relationship between these levels of representation and voter attitudes to Parliament?

  3.1  Less representation is definitely noted by the under-represented groups. They feel alienated from the democratic process as they do not identify with the people that they see in the House of Commons. As a result they are often less likely to vote as they feel: "it will make no difference" and are less likely to be engaged in civic life. The few BME or female candidates that are visible, are often perceived as a tokenistic gesture. BME, female and disabled communities need "role models" to inspire them and raise aspirations as President Obama has for all ethnic communities in the US, who seem to have become more politically active and engaged in civic society feeling that they too have a voice.

  3.2  Where representation exists, it is not geographically balanced and there is a definite lack of representation in all regions.

  3.3  Society's inherent "isms" are replicated within all political parties and hence the BME candidates are unable to win selections. This situation will remain as long as BME membership of political parties remains low because of what they see, hear and experience.

4.  What are the reasons why more women, people from ethnic minorities and disabled people do not become Members of Parliament:

— Why don't more from these groups consider standing for election? Or, if they do,

  4.1  General membership of political parties reflects attitudes and stereotypes which are less than positive and disadvantage BME candidates. It is felt that there is a bias towards able bodied, middle aged, white, men, then women, over BME candidates. This creates difficult if not impossible barriers for BME candidates to overcome.

  4.2  Political parties need to adopt all "women, BME, disabled" lists to increase chances of under-represented candidates selection.

  4.3  BME groups are hindered by perceived as well as actual institutional discrimination and racism.

  4.4  Due to these groups historically not being politically active in political parties, they lack the requisite role models and mentors who can train them in the finer nuances of refined political skills and networking. In order to become successful in political careers.

  4.5  There is a lack of transparency and information on how to successfully pursue a political career, without having access to the "old boys network" model.

Why aren't more of them selected? Or, if they are,

  4.6  Many BME candidates are only offered "un-winnable" seats in order to fill party quotas and tick box exercises so that political parties can fulfil their equality targets.

  4.7  Some female and male Muslim councillors said they were not selected because they did not fit the "stereotype" of being white, middle class.

  4.8  BME candidates are expected to restrict their ambitions to seats with a large ethnic minority electorate.

Why aren't more of them elected?

  4.9  BME candidates are usually offered un-winnable seats.

  4.10  Even when selected, they often do not have the required support of their party.

5.  What are the problems and practical difficulties encountered—at any point in the process of selection and election—by members of these underrepresented groups who are looking to become MPs?

  5.1  There seems to be an inability to see BME, female and disabled candidates as "MP material" caused by institutional racism and prejudice.

  5.2  Many underrepresented groups do not have the financial resources typically available to their male, white counterparts, to campaign for themselves. In addition time is also a crucial factor along with a strong capable team and the buy-in from the constituency.

  5.3  BME candidates identified the following difficulties in securing selection; length of membership is too short, activities undertaken for the constituency are not broad enough, involvement in local campaigns has not been deep enough and they have not been embedded in the party nor do they have access to the networks within the local, regional, national party along with the sitting MP. An unnecessarily heavy burden is placed upon the suitability criteria.

  5.4  Lack of "old boys network" or equivalent.

  5.5  Poor networking, public speaking and political skills and a general lack of understanding due to the fact that they do not have female Muslim role models or mentors to help them overcome these barriers

  5.6  Muslim women, in particular face barriers within their own community of sexual discrimination and cultural prejudice.

6.  What actions could be taken by the Government to address disparities in representation?

  6.1  The government could engage in positive action by having quotas for the House of Lords, say a minimum 30% for the underrepresented groups.

  6.2  Currently the Scottish and Welsh have top-up lists and allow winnable seats to go to BME candidates. Westminster should also be seen to take positive action by allocate 50% of the last minute seats that come up through late retirements to BME candidates.

  6.3  Create awareness of how to overcome barriers and "get into politics" through localised road shows and build strategic partnerships with current grass roots projects attracting underrepresented groups.

7.  What actions have been, or could be, taken by political parties, campaigning groups and others to address disparities in representation?

  7.1  Political Parties need to deliver on what they say, "actions speak louder than words". Promote, publicise, fund whether through grants or other means of financial support and network individuals and projects that are aiming to attract under-represented groups.

  7.2  Political Parties should take positive action in terms running effective mentoring and sourcing of winnable seats and to get the BME candidates embedded into the constituencies early. Set targets, influence political parties to organise debates within their constituencies in order to increase representation of under-represented groups.

  7.3  Muslim women need a better understanding of the importance of Political engagement as it gives women the power and the channel to pursue the values and aims they believe in and to get involved in decisions that impact their lives.

  7.4  NMWAG Civic Skills project "Play Your Part—Make Your Mark" (www.localleadership.gov.uk) is a pilot project designed to train 30 Muslim women from around the UK to become more active in civic life as well as pursue higher level political careers. This project needs cross party support, promotion and needs mentors (both men and women, of any race or faith) to mentor these candidates into mainstream politics.

  7.5  Go beyond a simple (often transparent gesture) and have a real desire to attract these groups. Have people from these groups promote the projects to their communities.

  7.6   Create a positive media campaign to attract more people profiling and tracking careers of "up and coming" potential candidates and put pressure on parties and the candidates to succeed.

8.  What actions have been taken elsewhere in the UK and overseas, and by whom, to address similar concerns? And

  8.1  President Barack Obama has to be the most powerful role model. Having a black man as a president has inspired people from all communities as well as those who have typically sat on the fringes of society to step forward and create change.

  8.2  BMEs who were not typically engaged believe that they too can become politically active and make a difference. In the past they had never seen successful politicians from their communities but with powerful leadership and role models, they would strive to attain the same levels of political or civic success.

  8.3  Devolution in Scotland and Wales under both Plaid Cymru and SNP parties have delivered on this agenda. The three largest and most well established political parties have failed in attracting proportionate representation of minority groups. Perhaps a way forward would be for the government to use quotas for the House of Lords.

9  How can the success of such actions be measured?

  9.1  Increased representation of all groups.

  9.2  Measure the number of civic positions taken up by BME men and women and their geographical spread.

  9.3  Measure number of BME men and women who get selected and elected.

  9.4  Track those candidates who want to pursue a political life and regularly meet with them to find out which hurdles they are facing and provide constructive advice, support and networks to overcome these barriers.

  9.9  Need for effective communication and promotion of good practice, in terms of what works and changes as a result of having more diverse representation. The general public need to understand the achievements especially in terms of the prevailing apathy, loss trust and belief in the political and democratic process.