WOMEN IN POLITICS.

Shannon News, 31 October 1924, Page 3

WOMEN IN POLITICS.

"PRETTY GIRLS ON PLATFORM."

The ladies — apart from those who are directly contesting seats—are playing an active part in the present election campaign in England. For that matter, their services have always been keenly sought after in English elections for canvassing and osculatory (political) purposes, but in the present scramble, owing to the absence abroad of so many sitting members and new candidates, wives and sisters are doing spadework until the return of their menfolk. Among the deputy-can-didates is a-daughter of Henry Arthur Jones, the dramatist, who is waving a Conservative , gonfalon on high. If there is anything in hereditary, she should be able to state a good case in her husband's absence. Miss Ishbel MacDonald, the chatelaine of No. 10 Downing Street, assisted her father at his Glasgow meeting, supplying,' information which, she claimed, . ■ 'through modesty," the Prime Minister had refrained from divulging. She is following in the footsteps of MisS; Elizabeth Asquith (now PrWcess Bibesco), who contributed a girlish speech. or two on one of her father's > campaigning tours. The speeches, had no paticular merit but the psychological effect of a pretty gin on the platform is not inconsiderable. Details have not yet come td hand of the intentib'as of women members to contestfraStfr seats, but it is safe to assume that, with the exception of Mrs. Hilton Philipson. they will be in the thick of the fight, together with a number of other female aspirants to political honohres. At all events, the lady membehs'f who have concluded their first session, and Lady Astor, "Nancy," who is now a seasoned campaigner, have clearly demonstrated that they are not in the House of Commons solely for decorative purposes. >