A Birmingham councillor has strongly criticised the City Council's male-dominated composition, describing it as a 'backwards step' for local democracy.
Izzy Knowles, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Moseley, responded to figures from BirminghamLive revealing that 73.3 per cent of the newly elected Birmingham City Council members are men. This comes after the final ward, Glebe Farm and Tile Cross, declared its result last night (May 11).
Speaking to BirminghamLive, Councillor Knowles said: 'We've taken a step backwards to suddenly, we haven't got that female representation. When you think 50 per cent of the population is female, then that is a big step backwards in local democracy and representation for our city.'
She added: 'I anticipated we are going to see many testosterone fuelled, noisy debates in full council.'
Councillor Knowles suggested that the decline in female councillors may stem from difficulties in finding candidates. 'I suspect that's what it is. That women are not putting themselves forward. Now is that because of the pressure of the job, or is because of the online abuse that's definitely increased? You know, I don't know - but [it's] probably a bit of both.'
The Liberal Democrat councillor continued: 'I think the pressures of councillor role now, the councillor role has changed so much over the years, that it's not sustainable.'
She concluded by emphasising the need to 'take the toxicity out of politics' and implement measures to assist younger people, especially those with families, and women to step up and take on the role.
The vote count for the last of Birmingham's 69 wards was officially declared last night, with the results meaning the 101 seats of the Council are now comprised of 73 men and 28 women.
