Lynne Featherstone MP has climbed nine places in the Times’ ‘red box power list’ this year. The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green is listed as the seventh most influential Lib Dem – and is the highest ranked woman in the list.

The Times explained the decision by saying: ‘The equal marriage legislation was her baby and she pushed the scandal of Female Genital Mutilation to the top of the agenda. If she keeps her seat she will be a major player.’

The Liberal Democrat MP is currently a minister in the Department for International Development – where she leads the campaign to tackle FGM, and to promote disability rights in the developing world.

In her previous role at the Home Office, Lynne Featherstone was the architect of Equal Marriage, and a strong advocate of LGBT+ rights.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“By being part of the Government, I have been able to push campaigns on Equal Marriage, on tackling FGM and many more – like promoting disability rights and tackling all forms of violence against women and girls abroad.

“These are all issues which have been on the back burner for far too long – and I’m so glad that we have seen change. But there is still a long way to go.

“With the strong support from the Lib Dem party, hardworking civil servants, the media and most importantly from the people in my constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green, I hope to continue working on these issues and others for many years to come.”