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Introducing Kate Green MP
"The key thing about human rights is protecting and respecting the people whose views you fundamentally disagree with and don't like, and in return they do the same for you." Kate Green MP, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
How did you get into Politics?
I suppose what first got me really politically angry, and aware, was being a young woman at the start of the 1980's - the height of Thatcher's destruction. All around us were young people sleeping on the streets and industries collapsing. It was a scary time to be young!!!!
That really politicized me. I had grown up, and been educated, in Scotland. I did get work and moved to London. I was not only shocked by the poverty and sheer volume of young people on the street in London, but also shocked by the wealth. Edinburgh is a rich city, but the contrast between wealth and poverty really came home to me when I moved to London.
It was somebody else who suggested I stand for Parliament (it would never have occurred to me); a woman who subsequently became my agent and very good friend. Interestingly, she was a teacher; I think she was used to developing people, spotting their potential, bringing it on, and she saw that I could do it. Without her I don't think I would have even contemplated it.
I stood in 1997 and lost. However, I realized that I not only liked doing it, but I was good at it too. I stood again in 2000 for the Greater London Assembly, and lost again. At that point I thought, "I absolutely want make a career out of this kind of work, even if it's not going to be in main stream politics."
I had to get on with my career, and I ran campaigning charities for 10 years. That was the springboard for my current seat campaign in 2009. I didn't go into running campaigning charities with the intention of standing for Parliament again. The thing that tipped me over was when the MPs' expenses scandal hit, I suddenly realized there were lots of seats up for grabs. I knew, at the back of my mind, I had always wanted to give it another go.
What does equality mean to you?
That everybody is of the same value. There's something about equal sharing of assets, of resources, of access.
I see it in terms of instances of policies I would like to see. I would like to see re-distribution of income and wealth; less disparity of poverty and wealth, both within countries and between countries. You need to level up the playing field for those who suffer other barriers or disadvantages. That means a pro-active re-distribution of assets and resources, as well as a pro-active re-distribution of power. This is where people often feel uncomfortable.
The key thing about human rights is protecting and respecting the people whose views you fundamentally disagree with and don't like, and in return they do the same for you. I think that's a good starting point.
What changes would you make to/in Parliament?
I'd have a more representative Parliament; more women, more ethnic minorities, more working class, more people with disabilities and a wider age range. More people from my kind of constituency. While I suspect some minority groups are better represented in Parliament in relation to their representation in society as a whole than others, in no case is this place representative of our country. Fundamentally, it needs a change to its make up. To do that you'd have to completely change Parliament's working practices; it's in the wrong place, it's the wrong time, it's the wrong working patterns. It's completely hopeless for most people to square with working and family life. Of necessity it attracts a rather peculiar kind of people, a subset of society - people who can live in that way.
One fundamental piece of legislation for change?
I don't think it's particularly easy to pick just one piece of legislation. I think one of the greatest success stories of the Left was that of Labour in 1997. Labour produced a complete package of policies, linking things which reinforced each other; greater economic justice, greater social justice, structural solutions to inequality, which improved the lot of minorities. Actions against domestic violence and the minimum wage. I think that's how you have to think about legislative change. To come in with broad values, then you plug every theme into those values and every specific policy into those themes. I think the Equality Act was the most important piece of legislation, which has now sadly been watered down by the present Government.
A Moment of Serendipity?
When I went to One Parent Families. Although I'd stood twice for election, I had to accept that I needed another job. What else could I do? There, in the paper that day, was the job advertised. That was timing. If I hadn't done that, everything that's happened since would not have followed through. I happened to get a job in a very high profile charity, which lead me to another one, which led me here.
Advice for young (wo)men starting out
First and foremost - it is never too late... Whatever you want, hold it in your head. It may be 10 years or more, but when the moment comes you can go for it, you'll be ready.
Don't be frightened of being be a feminist; people will attack you as a woman. You need to protect yourself, and feminism is the way to do that.
I still think that, as a woman, you have to work harder and do more. In both public and private lives, domestic stresses still are a factor. Your appearance - don't be surprised if it attracts attention that you have to address.
Surround yourself with supportive people; friends, colleagues and family who want to see you succeed are very important.
Read further extracts from the interview in the archive, along with others.
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