Gender, Brexit and the Politics of Crisis

Abstract

Reflecting on the gendered nature of politics seems more relevant now than ever. The results of the Referendum on UK membership of the EU in June 2016 poses a significant challenge to the future of the national gender equality framework. The Leave campaign’s slogan “Take Back Control” was hinged on the assumption that European legislation and regulation stifles economic growth through excessive red-tape. As Andrea Leadsom’s – one of the leader Leave campaigner – 2012 comments on maternity leave and pay highlight, equal rights policies and regulations are often portrayed as an unnecessary burden on employers. Current government discussions about withdrawal from the EU are largely focused on trade, security and immigration. Gender equality, and social policy more generally, have been left behind. Yet, it is at this point that the current equality framework is likely to come under threat as the European safety-net will be removed. Moreover, the ensuing focus on ensuring the UK does not slip back into a second recession will lead to political leaders and policy-makers to advance an ideologically grounded economic agenda that sidelines women’s interests. This panel explores the gendered nature of the campaign ahead of the EU Referendum and on-going discussions about the future of the UK's relationship with the EU. It covers issues such as, social media, the future of the European Social Model and UK equality legislation, and the impact of Brext on women's political engagement and participation.

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