Podcasts Government Analysis Does it matter who our MPs are?

Does it matter who our MPs are?

Published: March 6, 2023, 9 p.m.

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Classic theories of representative democracy argue that it\\u2019s the representation of ideas not our personal characteristics - such as age, gender, race or class - that should matter. But current debates about the diversity of our politicians suggest many of us are interested in who our MPs are and that they represent us.

We have more women and more ethnic minority MPs than ever before, we have had three women Prime Ministers and our first Prime Minister with an Asian heritage and yet attention has been drawn to the fact that the majority of the current cabinet, unlike the British population, attended private schools. Some have never worked outside of politics. Does this matter? Is personal background and history the most critical factor leading to good political representation? Do the backgrounds of our politicians influence voters\\u2019 choices at the ballot box? And how do political parties react?

Presenter: Rosie Campbell\\nProducer: Vicki Broadbent\\nEditor: Clare Fordham

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