Stirling Council Leader Susan McGill has organised an 'Elect Her Workshop' to encourage more women to stand for election ahead of next year's Scottish council elections. The online event takes place on Thursday, November 12, from 6pm to 8pm.
While the workshop covers all levels of government, it will focus on Local Government given the upcoming elections. Currently, only 32 per cent of elected councillors nationally are women, and in Stirling Council the figure stands at just 16 per cent.
Encouraging women to step forward
Elect Her aims to encourage more women to get involved in politics and public life, while supporting them to feel confident about putting themselves forward for election. No previous political experience or active involvement in politics is required. The meeting offers a chance to find out more, meet others, and hear about the opportunities and support available.
It will be a friendly and informal opportunity to ask questions and connect with others, as well as a chance to hear from and meet women already involved as elected representatives or in senior leadership positions.
Council leader's call to action
Cllr McGill said: "It would be fantastic to see as many women as possible there. I would be grateful if you would circulate this invitation to people in your wider networks, and should anyone, from all parties and none, like to attend, please ask them to email the civic office and we can send in more details."
She added: "We'd love to see more women elected and a closer representation of our population reflected after the 2027 elections."
McGill's own political journey
In a recent interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr McGill described how she became involved in politics. She said: "I was born and bred in Stirling, went to Stirling High School and Forth Valley Nursing College. I then went on to do intensive care and became a health visitor. I got a job in Rutherglen as I have to maintain my registration."
She continued: "I was elected in 2017 to the Stirling Council and I always have had a lot to shout about injustice to other people. I didn't have much to do in politics until the independence referendum in 2014. I joined the SNP in 2010 and started going to the party conferences, I then got a voice and started asking people what they thought about independence, that grew my political confidence."
McGill also mentioned her involvement in the re-activation plans for Murrayshall Quarry, where she was elected chair of the community group in 2007. She noted that the quarrying company had a legal obligation to liaise with the community, and the group achieved charity status and collected flora and fauna information about the site's heritage. A community development group in Cambusbarron purchased part of the woodland, and the activation has been agreed but has not yet started.
Challenges facing women in politics
Asked whether more women were becoming involved in politics, Cllr McGill said: "There has been a wee surge in the past few years but it less than now there are peaks and troughs. It is a very hard job, it is a hard gig for women, you get a lot of abuse and pressure and you still get spoken over a bit. In particular coming up with the budget – one of my colleagues had a really hard time about it last year and is worried about this year as she is getting personal attacks."
She added: "There are only in six in the council so they are under-represented. The time involved is an issue, for me it is one and a half jobs. I am here every day and community councils and meetings last night as well as being a carer. I have no real home life. An increase in money would help but I am still not earning what I would earn as a health visitor. I am senior enough in my career to go and work in a bank. It is difficult to balance if you have a family as well whether elderly parents or children or pets it becomes very difficult."
To book a free place at the event, people should email mcgills@stirling.gov.uk with any dietary requirements. People are also asked to share the invitation widely and encourage any women they know who are considering becoming involved in politics.
