The Party of Women (POW) is a gender-critical,[3][4] anti-transgender[5][6] single-issue political party in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 2023 by Kellie-Jay Keen and registered in February 2024.[7]

Party of Women
AbbreviationPOW
LeaderKellie-Jay Keen-Minshull
Nominating officerPaul Duddridge
TreasurerKellie-Jay Keen
Founded2023 (2023)
Registered8 February 2024 (2024-02-08)[1]
HeadquartersBath, Somerset, South West England [1]
IdeologyGender-critical
Political positionSingle-issue
Colours  Black,   white,   magenta and   turquoise
House of Commons
0 / 650
Councillors[2]
1 / 18,766
Election symbol
Website
www.partyofwomen.org

History

The first application to register the party with the Electoral Commission was rejected in September 2023, due to issues with the proposed constitution and financial schemes.[8] Following an additional failed application in November, the party was formally registered in February 2024.[9][10] The party has aligned itself with Keen's views.[7]

On 1 March, the party issued an announcement, committing the party to revoke the Gender Recognition Act 2004, and stating they would reinforce the rights of cisgender women and girls.[11]

Mandy Clair, a councillor sitting on Cheshire West and Chester council, defected to the party on 8 March 2024, having previously served office for the Labour and Socialist Labour parties.[7]

The Party of Women stood five candidates in the 2024 local elections, receiving a total of 509 votes with no candidates being elected.[10]

The party is standing 16 candidates in England for the 2024 United Kingdom general election.[12] Keen is standing in the newly created seat of Bristol Central.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ a b https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP17545 Registration summary - Party Of Women
  2. ^ "Open Council Data UK". opencouncildata.co.uk.
  3. ^ Attenborough, Frederick (19 February 2024). "Local Labour Party branch pressures pub into cancelling Conservative-run debate with gender-critical activist". The Free Speech Union. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  4. ^ "It's our party and we'll cry if we want to | Jean Hatchet". The Critic Magazine. 10 June 2024.
  5. ^ Storey, Eleanor (10 June 2024). "Linda Law launches election campaign for Party of Women". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024.
  6. ^ Storey, Eleanor (6 June 2024). "Norfolk Police to attend Let Women Speak event in Norwich". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Smith, Mark (8 March 2024). "Cheshire West councillor quits group to join new party". Northwich Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024.
  8. ^ Perry, Sophie (29 September 2023). "Posie Parker's political party rejected by electoral commission". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  9. ^ Perry, Sophie (14 November 2023). "Posie Parker's political party rejected by Electoral Commission for the second time". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  10. ^ a b Perry, Sophie (3 May 2024). "Posie Parker's Party of Women fails to gain any seats in local elections". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Party of Women Newsletter 1 March 2024". Party of Women. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  12. ^ Keeling, Peter (9 June 2024). "2024 UK general election candidate summary". Democracy Club. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  13. ^ Hobbs, Phoebe (8 June 2024). "Activist Kellie-Jay Keen announces campaign for Bristol Central". Bristol Live. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Election of a Member of Parliament for Bristol Central on Thursday 4 July 2024". Bristol City Council. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024.