Women's Minister Joan Ruddock

Women MPs Will "Revolutionise Parliament"

There are now a record 120 women in the House of Commons since the General Election.

And the Women's Minister predicts that the effect will be felt across the country. Speaking to the Fawcett Society in London, Ms Ruddock promised a new era of choice and opportunity for British women across all backgrounds: "For the first time in nearly two decades, we have a government which does not want to evade or ignore women's concerns," she said.

The Fawcett Society is campaigning for equality between men and women.

Ms Ruddock said: "Now we have the chance to make a fresh start in politics; to create a new style of working in Parliament; and to focus on a new set of policy priorities."

The Minister said she would be taking particular care to meet women who felt their voices had not been heeded - particularly those from ethnic minorities and from Northern Ireland.