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New record number of female MPs in Commons

WOMEN are now a “formidable force” in the House of Commons as more female MPs have been elected than ever before, figured released yesterday show.

A total of 187 female candidates won the support of their constituents — 100 of them standing for Labour.

The Conservatives lag behind, with only 64 women in their parliamentary ranks. Their Lib Dem former coalition partners have none among the party’s eight remaining MPs.

The Scottish National Party, led by Nicola Sturgeon, and the Green Party, headed by Natalie Bennett, have 18 and one female MP respectively.

The resignations of Ed Miliband and Nigel Farage have created space at the top for two more women — Labour’s acting leader Harriet Harman and Ukip’s Suzanne Evans, whom Nigel Farage recommended to replace him on an acting basis when he quit as the right-wing party’s leader yesterday.

Belinda Phipps, chair of inequality campaigner group Fawcett Society, said: “We know that when women are part of the legislative and decision-making process, better decisions are made.”

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