Sandi Toksvig's forms a new political party

Sandi (on Twitter) has invited anyone who wants to be kept up to date to e-mail her on womensequalitypartyu[email protected] for updates and information.

Sandy Toksvig is a very sharp cookie. Even doing this could highlight and embarrass the other parties into giving more thought to women's issues. I've always been glad that we have the option of voting for independent candidates. They don't do very well in UK govt but we had a first class one as an MSP. Sadly she died but was mourned and missed by people of all political persuasions. So -Go Sandy!

I'm going to start a party - the fluffy little black dog party. Only people with fluffy little black dogs can join.

Sorry, it's been one of those days.

Didn't John Major do rather better than expected? Beware of Polls because labour tend to say which way they intend to vote. Tories, traditionally, do not.

I admire Sandi Toksvig and think she is erudite, very funny (without being crude or vulgar) and a terrific writer, journalist and panellist. I am not sure about a political party just about women's issues though, how would we feel if Jeremy Clarkson started a party focusing on 'bloke's issues'? I think she would be better starting a pressure group to bend the ear of the main political parties and hopefully get changes made that way.

gillybob, I'm with you I don't like this separating off stance, although of course there are issues that only affect women. Separatism is often divisive by it's very nature and smacks of exclusivity which under other guises most of us abhor. We are all part of the human race not a separate species.

I agree that women's issues is not a broad enough spectrum, but a pressure group type party might achieve things where the "big" parties have failed because they focus on other things first.

The Green Party started out like that. And the National Health Action Party.

I can see that this party might be a good vehicle for highlighting those concerns that she has outlined. I doubt whether they would get elected MPs, but as a pressure group they could be very effective and help to bring inequalities to the fore.

Here's the report. I'm in two minds about this and need to know more.

Didn't esther Rantzen try something along similar lines? Or did she just stand as an MP ?

I agree with whitewave not enough to focus on womens issues at all.

Infact it annoys me that they even say "womens issues".

My initial reaction is that simply focusing on women's issues will not run.

After reading your post Teetime I looked up the article and am as intrigued as you are. I for one am sorry she has left NQ as she has been a fantastic host and I had wondered why she wasn`t hosting 2 shows in the last series but nothing was said as to where/why she wasn`t there - is it possible she had already left and the BBC were playing it close to their chest?

As to setting up a new political party she certainly has the charisma but is that enough?