Charlie 🔶

I said this in the YC Hustings, that I want to make sure young women feel empowered to come forward and take on roles. I agree we shouldn't have women-only lists or DEI-style posts, but that all YCs should be given more opportunities and chances and barriers should be broken down. Where I can, I've brought more women in. I got my wife elected at the Locals this year after seeing her shadow me in my first term and recognising the talent and skills she had too. As Association Chairman we have held CWO nights, made new positions, encouraged women to take up roles and always been willing to help. By having more young people, especially young women at the front, others will follow. I think @KemiBadenoch alone shows that! Now full disclosure: I am not a woman. I am not going to pretend I can understand why or what the barriers and reasons for not standing are, but I can absolutely guarantee that I will listen (and have been) to young women in our party as to what I could do as National Chair to help. At Party Conference, my diary was filled with conversations, listening to what YCs from across the UK wanted, felt and were missing. We have groups like @CYoungWomen, @cwowomen, @Blue_Beyond_ and more who are doing so much to bring young people into the conversation. With me, my door is open, as it has been since the very start of the campaign with my YC Survey: matthewgoodwinfreeman.uk/yc #MoreWithMatthew