Politics

A recent survey conducted by Girlguiding UK found that there are significant numbers of would-be politicians. Indeed, a bold one in ten five- to seven-year-olds (12 per cent) would like to be the Prime Minister.

‘Being a Brownie brought me new friends, an understanding of working in a team, and a sense of adventure - all very useful for a challenging public life; it also contributed to a lifelong love of the countryside, one of the pleasures of life at every age.’
Baroness Shirley Williams
Political Studies Association Awards, Lifetime Achievement in Politics

Baroness Shirley Williams first entered Parliament in 1964 following a career in journalism. As a member of the Wilson and Callaghan cabinets she held portfolios in education and science and was paymaster general. In 1980, she co-founded the SDP as one of the ‘gang of four’, and supported the creation of the Liberal Democrats when the party split in 1987. As a Liberal Democrat peer sitting in the House of Lords, Baroness Williams has served as the Party's spokesperson on Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and as the Liberal Democrat Leader of the House. This longstanding political career has been complemented by a number of roles in academia.

Other award-winning women previously involved in Girlguiding UK include:

Kate Hoey, Spectator Parliamentarian Debater of the Year (Labour Member of Parliament and Queen’s Guide)

Baroness Virginia Bottomley of Nettlestone (Conservative Member of the House of Lords and former Cabinet Minister)