
An MP said the Labour movement ‘repeatedly ’ told her to ‘withdraw from positions of leadership ’ after she had a baby.
Walthamstow ’s Labour and Cooperative MP Stella Creasy told The Telegraph ’s new podcast that ‘various positions within the Labour movement ’ said she ‘shouldn ’t stand ’ for senior roles in the party because she had a baby in 2019.
Ms Creasy claimed people said to her: ‘Yeah but you ’ve just had a baby, so this isn ’t right for you ’.
She said she was discouraged from standing for a position on the Cooperative Party National Executive Committee (NEC) because of her new baby.
Advertisement AdvertisementNevertheless the London MP was elected onto the NEC, but said she was ‘genuinely shocked ’ having a child led to the ‘presumption ’ that she is now ‘less competent, less capable, less interested ’.
The new mum also alleged an MP ‘reprimanded ’ her for bringing her daughter into Westminster during a debate.
She further claims another woman in Government said she wanted ‘to be treated like a victim ’ when she tried to secure cover for her maternity leave.


‘I sort of think: “Well if the Labour movement – which is supposed to be the movement championing equality and championing women ’s rights – thinks that somehow having a baby writes you out of public life, what hope have we got for the rest of society?”, ’ Ms Creasy told The Juggling Act.
The Labour Party said: ‘The Labour Party takes all complaints of discrimination extremely seriously, and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate action is taken. ’
The Cooperative Party said: ‘The Co-operative Party takes all complaints and allegations about all forms of discrimination seriously. We require all members to abide by the rules of our Party. ’
In June last year Ms Creasy spoke out against MPs not being automatically paid while on parental leave.