Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey & Wood Green, has been shorted-listed for the prestigious Dods ‘Woman MP of Year’ Award.

The award is granted to the “most effective woman in the House of Commons who has shown outstanding parliamentary achievement during the year either as a minister or backbencher and who has done much to positively raise the standing of politics both inside the House and with the public.”

The final decision will be made by a vote of all MPs and Peers and revealed at the awards ceremony on 8th March 2007.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“I am absolutely thrilled to make the shortlist. The barriers to women entering politics are not what they once were but the House of Commons does sometimes feels like an old boys’ club with some of its testosterone-fuelled yah boo debates leaving a lot to be desired.

“For me encouraging more women in Parliament isn’t about feminism, but simple equality. If I have inspired one woman to take the leap into politics then we’re one step closer to having representatives that truly reflect the make up of the people they serve.”

Comments from the Dods’ website on Ms. Featherstone’s nomination:

“But it is not only for her impressive start as a Westminster parliamentarian that Lynne Featherstone receives the nomination for MP of the Year: she also deserves praise for her blog using it to demystify politics, engage with the public and show that politicians have a human face.”