Council celebrates 130th anniversary of a woman’s right to stand as a district councillor

Published Thursday 12 December 2024

Harborough District Council is celebrating women’s contribution to local government.

A picture of eight female councillors at Harborough District Council
Female councillors at Harborough District Council including (left to right): Cllr Rani Mahal, Cllr Rosita Page, Cllr Sindy Modha, Cllr Lynne Taylor, Cllr Amanda Burrell, Cllr Rose Forman, Cllr Geraldine Whitmore and Cllr Jo Asher

Today, 12 December 2024, marks 130 years since the Victorian 1894 Local Government Act, which gave women the legal right to stand as district councillors.

Prior to Full Council on Monday 9 December the Leader of the council Cllr Phil Knowles invited all female councillors to have their photograph taken to time stamp the occasion.

There are currently 10 serving female councillors who sit on the council.

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “I am proud that we are able to mark this important milestone in our democracy. As a society we have made great progress in the last 130 years but there’s still further to go. I encourage more women to consider standing for elected office.”

For more information on becoming a councillor visit: www.local.gov.uk/be-councillor

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