Walthamstow MP says Parliament’s maternity rules need changing

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy has criticised Parliament’s maternity leave rules.

The politician has represented the area since 2010 and is now expecting her first child after previously suffering two miscarriages.

Writing in the Guardian, she said she feels women are being forced to choose between being an MP or being a mum because of Parliament’s rules.

The 42-year-old claims the body which regulates MPs’ pay, Ipsa, told her it doesn’t recognise when members go on maternity leave.

Commenting today, the Labour MP said, “In the 21st century we need to make it possible for both men and woman equally to be representatives rather asking women to pick up the pieces because parliament hasn’t got its act together to cope with women who might have children.”

No community should be penalised because their MP is a woman- tonight I am going public with the battle with @ipsaUK to make sure there is maternity cover for MPs so that in the autumn Walthamstow is not left without representation: https://t.co/zRylXAjtql

— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) June 17, 2019

Thank you all for all the many (mostly!) lovely messages about my wish for maternity leave- there’s now a petition to try to get @ipsaUK to sort itself out organised by @PregnantScrewed – please do share and sign and fingers crossed they listen! #babyleave https://t.co/4US2EWbtkx

— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) June 18, 2019