United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

New data on Google searches lays bare the obstacles female politicians face in trying to connect with an electorate, especially if they’re becoming well-known for the first time.

Search data gathered during four weeks of the 2019 general election campaign gives a startling insight into British voters' psychology, showing how Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson’s unsuccessful campaign was profoundly shaped by sexism.

THE SNP will tomorrow unveil a new project aimed at combating the gender balance in Scotland’s politics.

When women take part in politics, the whole of society benefits. That is the main finding of a new report from Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London.

Boris Johnson has been reprimanded after laughing when he was asked about a lack of female decision makers in the government’s coronavirus response.

Appearing before the House of Commons liaison committee, the prime minister was told by chair Sir Bernard Jenkin: “It’s not a joking matter.”

Women in politics have spoken of their experiences of dealing with sexism and hatred on social media while voicing their political opinions.

Gender equality charity Chwarae Teg said it feared a growing number of women were being put off standing for election due to online abuse.

The new virtual parliament, which started this week, could have unintended positive consequences for achieving gender equality in politics. Parliament was created by men, for men. The procedures, the structure, the culture – all created without a thought that one day, women would be making legislation too.

The government has named Dame Karen Pierce as the new ambassador to the US.

Dame Karen - who is currently the UK's permanent representative to the United Nations - will become the first woman in the post.

She replaces Sir Kim Darroch, who resigned in 2019 after he called President Donald Trump's administration "clumsy and inept" in leaked emails.