Menzies Campbell encourages Liberal Democrat staff to become MP's

4.39.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th Jul 2007

women researchers working in Parliament to consider standing for Parliament themselves.

He will speak at an event this evening designed to encourage female Liberal Democrat Parliamentary researchers and other staff to consider becoming MPs.

The event, organised by Liberal Democrat group Campaign for Gender Balance, will also be attended by other Liberal Democrat MPs including Julia Goldsworthy and Jenny Willott, both of whom worked as MP's researchers before being elected themselves.

Menzies Campbell said:

"I hope this event will convince the extremely talented women working for the Party to get approved, get selected and get elected."

Chair of the Liberal Democrat Campaign for Gender Balance, Jo Swinson MP said:

"Our party is teeming with talented women who would be excellent MPs. Unfortunately many of these women never even consider standing for Parliament.

"We hope this event will encourage researchers and staff to have a go at being a candidate. Chatting with women who have done it already will help to debunk some of the myths and provide the inspiration to get going."

Julia Goldsworthy MP, who used to work for Matthew Taylor MP, said:

"As a researcher, I saw first hand the work that MPs do, both in Parliament and campaigning in their constituencies. I loved the variety that this offered and wanted to do it myself.

"I was also lucky enough to be able to stand for my home seat, which gave me an extra incentive to put my name forward and campaign on issues which have always been close to my heart."