Behind every successful female there is a Denis.

Nadine Dorries HERE spoke the truth and nailed it on the head regarding women in politics and why it is more difficult for even the most determined female to pursue with gusto a life in politics. Becoming an MP is a demanding pursuit, however, what holds women back is not their ability to do the job but other capabilities and responsibilities mainly family commitments and money.

Everybody knows the latter can buy just about anything; it buys time, notoriety and opens many impossible doors. But, family will always be the main issue that gets in the way of many women and their political and professional aspirations. For most mothers, their children are the number one priority and the wise ones know it. Some fathers and many childless women cannot sometimes genuinely comprehend that importance. A lot of people tend to make all the right noises about how they ‘understand what being a mom is’ but the despair a mother feels when she has to choice between being readily available for her child verses any personal ambition is profound.

Most of us (mothers) are riddled with guilt, guilt if we go out and do our best for others we might let down our own and our home life might suffer as a result of it, guilt that we are not setting the best examples for our kids specially daughters, nieces and young female relatives by being and doing our best on all fronts. And let’s not forget the biggest guilt of all ‘pursuing our own dreams at the expenses of the family’

A few months ago, when Louise Mensch MP, after finishing questioning James Murdoch at the televised Culture, Media and Sports Committee session, excused herself so she can pick her children up from school. Some complained that a male MP will not do this or worst that as a wealthy woman she should hire someone to pick up her kids. Most men don’t need to do it because nine times out of ten their wives will, and why hire someone to be the first to see the joy of your child ending their school week when you can do it yourself!?

If we truly want our politics and other professional institutions to be fully representative of our communities, we need to trust people and allow them to be the best they can be. Let’s not forget, for us mothers, no matter how high we reach in our professional lives we’ll always be mothers first, and that is why every politician mammy needs a rock like Denis Thatcher.