Celebrating IWD2025 with a day in Parliament
To mark International Women’s Day, eleven of our female Politics students visited Parliament as guests of Monica Harding MP for Esher and Walton.
Politics students Jasmine M. and Grace B. wrote this report.
Our visit commenced with a guided tour of Parliament from members of Monica’s team which, on International Women’s Day, was an experience that melded the grandeur of our democratic heritage with the vibrant spirit of female empowerment. As we traversed the storied corridors, we encountered not only the distinguished halls of legislative debate but also a poignant relic—a broken statue, once a proud emblem of traditional authority, now marred by the bold defiance of suffragettes. This fractured monument served as a visceral reminder of the relentless struggle for women’s rights and the indelible impact of those who challenged the status quo and emphasised the importance of celebrating these efforts, especially on International Women’s Day, as they have allowed women’s voices to be of importance. The tour, rich with enlightening narratives and historical insights, invited us to reflect on how the courageous acts of the past continue to reverberate in today’s pursuit of equality. Throughout this experience, every whispered tale of perseverance and every visible scar on the building’s legacy contributed to a journey that was both intellectually stimulating and profoundly moving.
We then had the privilege of having a personal, revealing conversation with Monica Harding about the intricate challenges that women face in the political arena. Among the questions asked was whether it is necessary to act in a ‘masculine’ way to gain respect to which Monica recounted her own experiences of having to assert her voice amidst an often resistant, male-dominated system, explaining how subtle biases and systemic barriers frequently undermine women’s contributions, making it arduous for their perspectives to gain the traction they deserve. She stressed women of all backgrounds can gain political power with determination and a clear goal in mind, informing us that she herself had not come from a political background at all – something that was truly inspiring as Monica is now the first female MP to ever represent the constituency of Esher and Walton. Her candid reflections on the persistence and resilience required to be heard resonated deeply with us, underscoring the urgent need for structural reforms and a more inclusive political culture as women continue to be hugely underrepresented in Parliament.
When discussing the political climate of the UK in relation to international influence I asked Monica on her opinion surrounding the matter of party funding amid recent news of Elon Musk’s endorsement of Reform UK. This was a unique opportunity to listen to her point of view on the topic, especially as we have recently covered the debate of political parties being state funded in our lessons. Monica expressed her dissatisfaction with the interference of foreign oligarchs in our political system and the harmful effect it has on British democracy, signalling a desire for change. It was of high relevance to discuss such a subject with Monica Harding; an insightful and rememberable argument that will be of significance to our studies.
To conclude our visit, members of Monica’s team kindly took us to the House of Commons after the house had adjourned. It was a surreal experience to stand within the setting of the most sovereign institution in our Union. Our guide explained the seating arrangement of the house, motioning to the varying seats of our powerful politicians, such as the placement our Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as each parties allocated region within the benches, notably identifying Monica’s regular seat in the Liberal Democrats. This was an unforeseen perspective, as we were left feeling surprised at the minor size of the room and its inability to sit all the elected MPs- leaving many to stand if it is a highly attended day in Parliament!
Most of all, we would like to extend our gratitude to MP of Esher and Walton, Monica Harding, and her wonderful team for enabling us to have the privilege of attending such an inspiring visit; it was an honour to listen to and discuss matters so close to our hearts.
