GBTF steps up training for women MPs-in-waiting

9.36.13pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 25th Jul 2004

Feedback on previous GBTF training sessions have been extremely positive

As the General Election approaches, the Gender Balance Task Force (GBTF) are running more training events to help our women MPs-in-waiting to get elected.

Two training days are planned:

Saturday 28th August - Confident Communication for Women (in Cowley Street)

Senior Returning Officer Jenny Shorten and Watford PPC Sal Brinton are running this course to focus on a range of communications skills for the many different situations encountered as a candidate.

Saturday 18th September - The Influential Woman Candidate (in Bournemouth)

Due to the success of the pilot for this course in June, the GBTF are encouraging to arrive at autumn Conference in Bournemouth a day early to attend this course. Candy Piercy and Jenny Shorten are leading the course which includes team-building work, campaigning skills and an opportunity to share problems and find solutions.

Women candidates and potential candidates will be welcomed on these courses, but booking is advised (contact gbtf@libdems.org.uk).

The GBTF also have a full programme of training at autumn conference, and will continue to run courses and training to support future women MPs in the regions in the tun up to the election.

Ros Harper, PPC for Surrey Heath, attended ¡§The Influential Woman Candidate¡¨ module in June, and is encouraging other women to take advantage of these courses, ¡§I have found the support and training from the event immensely valuable. It provided me with a wealth of new material and tactics for dealing with issues within my Constituency, and I know that the other delegates also felt the same way.¨