In a significant development within the UK political landscape, the Women’s Equality Party (WEP) has announced its decision to dissolve formally. Co-founder Catherine Mayer emphasized that although the party is closing, the movement advocating for women’s rights continues vigorously. This conclusion came after a vote among the members of the party, where an overwhelming 78% supported the recommendation to shut down the organization due to various challenges, particularly financial constraints.
During an interview on BBC’s “Woman’s Hour,” Mayer highlighted that the decision stemmed from not only fiscal difficulties but also from recognizing that the party’s methods were becoming ineffective in an increasingly polarized society. Sandi Toksvig, the party’s co-founder, reaffirmed this sentiment, expressing a commitment to shifting their focus from participating in elections to advancing their causes through grassroots activism instead. She clarified that the declining membership numbers were primarily linked to the ongoing cost of living crisis rather than opposition to the party’s stance on transgender issues.
Founded in 2015, WEP emerged from discussions between Mayer and Toksvig, who were both disheartened by the slow pace of progress regarding women’s rights. They aimed to emulate the success of branches like the UK Independence Party, which significantly influenced the Conservative Party’s EU stance by securing votes in historical strongholds. This initiative began with a lighthearted conversation that ultimately led to a serious commitment to challenging the status quo regarding gender equality.
Under the leadership of Sophie Walker, the party gained momentum by advocating for critical issues such as closing the gender pay gap, making childcare more accessible, and increasing the prosecution rates for domestic violence, thereby addressing systemic injustices faced by women. However, despite their earlier potential, the party struggled to expand its voter base after a disappointing showing in the 2023 elections, where they fielded four candidates yet garnered only 1,275 votes.
Despite their progressive agenda, the WEP faced criticism regarding its position on transgender rights. This included revelations from journalist Suzanne Moore, an original party member, who pointed to a significant disconnect within their constituency whereby approximately 70% of members did not support the proposed self-ID framework. This framework would permit individuals to legally change their gender without needing a medical diagnosis, a topic that remains contentious in broader public discourse.
Mayer defended the party’s approach, asserting that they always respected the rights of individuals to determine their own gender and attempted to foster an inclusive dialogue around this issue. She countered claims regarding significant membership losses linked to their transgender policies, commenting that while some members left, others joined, resulting in a net neutral or slightly positive outcome.
The party’s decision to dissolve was also undeniably influenced by recent challenges brought on by the pandemic and economic pressures that have strained funding avenues. By contrast, competing parties have managed to secure substantial amounts of funds, underlining the financial hardships faced by WEP. During its 2024 fundraising period, WEP raised merely £9,000, while parties like Reform UK raised around £4.3 million and the Liberal Democrats approximately £12 million.
In response to the closing of the party, Mayer and Toksvig emphasized that the values and causes of the Women’s Equality Party would endure as they transition towards a new model of reform and activism. They plan to continue supporting their local representatives across regions, including Basingstoke, Cheshire, and Dorset, signifying that while the party structure may vanish, the fundamental goals for women’s equality and empowerment will persist actively in the community. Thus, despite the formal dissolution, Mayer’s assertion rings true: “It’s the end of the party, but not the movement.”
