Dropping Out of Politics? The Effects of Sexism and Gender-Based Violence on Political Representation and Recruitment in Britain, 2017-2019

Current research focused in the UK suggests that experiences of violence among political elites is more widespread than previously thought and that women are particularly targeted– as both candidates and MPs. There is growing empirical evidence suggesting that a widespread culture of sexism in politics is to blame. Yet, there is currently a research lacuna about how experiences of sexism and gender-based violence affect women’s rate of candidacy and whose ambition is most affected, even as it is known that the violence they face intersects with other forms of discrimination. Such intersectional violence risks fundamentally skewing who stands for public office, who desists from seeking a political career and why they do so. Does experiences of sexism and gender-based violence affects women' decision to drop out of politics? And how about BME/LGBT/disabled candidates? This article answers these questions by using evidence from the Representative Audit of Britain survey of candidates standing in the 2017 and 2019 General Elections. This is an issue of upmost importance as the fear of gendered abuse and violence may constitute an additional constraining factor on the desire and ability of women to stand for office and pursue a political career.