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Caroline Nokes MP

Caroline Nokes MP

Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North and chair of the Women and Equalities Committee

How to catch – or avoid – the Speaker’s eye
Parliament
By Caroline Nokes MP
How to catch – or avoid – the Speaker’s eye
Whether you want to catch – or avoid – the Speaker’s eye, learn to talk without notes or intervene successfully, deputy speaker Caroline Nokes gives new MPs some sage advice
Women in Westminster: In Conversation With Caroline Nokes MP Partner content
Parliament
By Total Politics Impact
Women in Westminster: In Conversation With Caroline Nokes MP
Caroline Nokes MP is one of the Patrons of Women in Westminster: The 100. As nominations open for our 2025 list, PoliticsHome sat down with Nokes to reflect on her journey in politics so far and to discuss what she and her fellow Patrons will be looking out for in this year’s nominations
Three Women MPs Elected New Deputy Speakers
Political parties
Three Women MPs Elected New Deputy Speakers
Caroline Nokes, Judith Cummins and Nus Ghani were elected as deputy speakers of the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon.
I am all too familiar with how harsh media attention can be
Parliament
By Caroline Nokes MP
I am all too familiar with how harsh media attention can be
I have never forgotten a general election hustings in 2005 with Romsey youth council, where one particularly perceptive young woman asked whether there was a danger in putting oneself on a pedestal.
Full through the looking glass: Caroline Nokes reviews 'The Plot'
Books & culture
By Caroline Nokes MP
Full through the looking glass: Caroline Nokes reviews 'The Plot'
Nadine Dorries has actually written a page-turner – but only because I was desperate for it to end
Breaking the silence on sexual harassment
Political parties
By Anonymous Staffers and Caroline Nokes MP
Breaking the silence on sexual harassment
Stories around sexual harassment in Parliament are never far away. The last few weeks alone have seen a staffer go on record about the culture as part of a major Newsnight investigation, while SNP MP Mhairi Black described the “toxic” environment as a reason for standing down. The introduction of an independent complaints process has only seen more and more sexual misconduct cases. Here, three staffers and an MP write for The House about their experiences of what it’s like to work in politics in 2023
Punitive and flawed policies will not solve the refugee crisis
Foreign affairs
By Caroline Nokes MP
Punitive and flawed policies will not solve the refugee crisis
Today, as we mark the 25th occasion of Refugee Week, policy makers have a chance to pause and reflect on whether our current asylum system is serving those who are most vulnerable in the world.
Tory MP Says There Are “No Effective Measures” To Tackle Sexual Harassment In Parliament
Social affairs
Tory MP Says There Are “No Effective Measures” To Tackle Sexual Harassment In Parliament
Conservative chair of the women and equalities committee Caroline Nokes has renewed her call for clearly defined processes to tackle issues around sexual harassment in Parliament, expressing frustration that there are currently “no effective measures” in place.
What does an MP look like in 2023? With more female MPs than ever, the answer is not a simple one
Communities
By Caroline Nokes MP
What does an MP look like in 2023? With more female MPs than ever, the answer is not a simple one
In the midst of the pandemic I did a zoom meeting with my Labour colleague Chi Onwurah, and something she said has stuck in my mind ever since. I don’t remember the purpose of the zoom, but I do remember Chi saying that she had been told she, “didn’t look like an MP”. It is something many of us have been told, including me, and it begs the question, “what does an MP look like?”
Senior Conservative Women MPs Call For 'Zero Tolerance Policy' After Chris Pincher Allegations
Political parties
Senior Conservative Women MPs Call For "Zero Tolerance Policy" After Chris Pincher Allegations
Two senior Tory women MPs have written to the Chief Whip calling for a "zero tolerance" policy when it comes to those accused of sexual misconduct.
Tory MPs Deny Rumours They Are Planning To Defect To Labour
Political parties
Tory MPs Deny Rumours They Are Planning To Defect To Labour
Conservative MPs are coming forward to deny they are going to defect to Labour, as questions surrounding Boris Johnson’s leadership continue in the fallout of last week’s by-elections.
The Home Office – is it fit for purpose?
Home affairs
By Georgina Bailey
The Home Office – is it fit for purpose?
The Home Office is rarely out of the headlines, with perceived failings enraging campaigners and providing constant material for opponents and journalists. The question remains: is it fit for purpose? Georgina Bailey investigates
The Rundown Podcast: MPs Are Tired Of Westminster's Misogyny Problem
Parliament
The Rundown Podcast: MPs Are Tired Of Westminster's Misogyny Problem
Conservative MP Caroline Nokes and Labour MP Abena Oppong-Asare join PoliticsHome's Eleanor Langford and Noa Hoffman to discuss sexism, misogyny and sexual misconduct in parliament on this week's episode of The Rundown.
Do I think there is more than one James Whitehouse in Westminster today? Sadly yes: Caroline Nokes reviews 'Anatomy of a Scandal'
Books & culture
By Caroline Nokes MP
Do I think there is more than one James Whitehouse in Westminster today? Sadly yes: Caroline Nokes reviews 'Anatomy of a Scandal'
Whilst parts of this Netflix drama are laughably inaccurate, Anatomy of a Scandal’s portrayal of the entitled arrogance of some male Members of Parliament, and the distain with which women in politics are still held, is both realistic and disturbing.
Senior Tory MP Accuses Government Of Kicking Porn MP Complaint 'Into The Long Grass'
Parliament
Senior Tory MP Accuses Government Of Kicking Porn MP Complaint "Into The Long Grass"
Exclusive: Senior Tory MP Caroline Nokes has said she is “disappointed” that party whips had not already suspended an MP accused of watching pornography in the Commons chamber.
Minister Describes Sexist Briefings By Tory MPs As “Misogynistic Abuse”
Culture
Minister Describes Sexist Briefings By Tory MPs As “Misogynistic Abuse”
Tech and Digital Economy Minister Chris Philp has said he felt “appalled” by unfounded sexist accusations from MPs in his party that Angela Rayner crosses and uncrosses her legs in front of Boris Johnson to distract him in the Commons.
MPs are champing at the bit for this year’s Grand National Partner content
Communities
By Betting And Gaming Council
MPs are champing at the bit for this year’s Grand National
Over 40 MPs from both sides of the House have backed a BGC initiative by placing bets on the world’s greatest steeplechase, The Grand National, which runs on Saturday, to raise money for charity.
Senior Tories Urge MPs To Overturn 'Misjudged' End Of At-Home Abortion Services
Health
Senior Tories Urge MPs To Overturn "Misjudged" End Of At-Home Abortion Services
Exclusive: Senior Tory MPs have pledged support for an amendment to the Health and Care Bill that would force government to U-turn on its “misjudged” policy to end at-home early abortion services.
War in Ukraine is exacerbating gender inequalities – women and girls must be at the forefront of our international development strategy
Foreign affairs
By Caroline Nokes MP
War in Ukraine is exacerbating gender inequalities – women and girls must be at the forefront of our international development strategy
Crises exacerbate age, gender, and disability inequalities, with women and girls being disproportionately impacted by poverty, conflict, and climate change.
We must celebrate Westminster's female role models if we're to attract more women to a career in politics
Communities
By Caroline Nokes MP
We must celebrate Westminster's female role models if we're to attract more women to a career in politics
Trade Secretary Said She Would Have 'Slapped' Stanley Johnson Following Allegations Of Inappropriate Touching
Political parties
Trade Secretary Said She Would Have "Slapped" Stanley Johnson Following Allegations Of Inappropriate Touching
Anne-Marie Trevelyan has condemned "casual sexism" against women in response to allegations made against Stanley Johnson.
Time to call a truce in the culture wars. Rather than stir up division, let’s seek solutions that bring people together
Social affairs
By Caroline Nokes MP
Time to call a truce in the culture wars. Rather than stir up division, let’s seek solutions that bring people together
Whether it is the politics of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability, there is always someone ready to offend and be offended.
UK Voters Are Majority Pro-Choice Across The Political Spectrum And Support Extension Of At-Home Abortion
Health
UK Voters Are Majority Pro-Choice Across The Political Spectrum And Support Extension Of At-Home Abortion
Exclusive: The majority of people across the UK are pro-choice regardless of political affiliation and back the continuation of at-home abortion care beyond the pandemic, new polling reveals.
The Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme is welcome, but we must expand eligibility for family reunion
Foreign affairs
By Caroline Nokes MP
The Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme is welcome, but we must expand eligibility for family reunion
I very much hope this scheme really will be bespoke, fast and generous. The women of Afghanistan do not have the 6 years to get to safety, they probably don’t have 6 months.
Partner content
Coronavirus
By Dignity in Dying
Disability rights campaigner, palliative care doctor, Rabbi and Imam speak out in support of assisted dying law, as Lords and Holyrood prepare to debate prospective legislation
A disability rights campaigner, a palliative care doctor, a rabbi and an imam yesterday (Wednesday 7 July 2021) addressed the All Party Parliamentary Group on Choice at the End of Life, calling on cross-party MPs and Peers to support a change in the law on assisted dying.
British aid cuts hit women hardest but British leadership could change that
Foreign affairs
By Caroline Nokes MP
British aid cuts hit women hardest but British leadership could change that
The cause of gender justice runs through multiple, overlapping crises faced by the G7. Britain must champion equality across the world and deliver on the vision for a more inclusive future.
Caroline Nokes Says Too Few Women On Violence Against Women Taskforce Is Emblematic Of Gender Inequality In Cabinet
Home affairs
Caroline Nokes Says Too Few Women On Violence Against Women Taskforce Is Emblematic Of Gender Inequality In Cabinet
Caroline Nokes has accused the government of risking not being “taken seriously” on equality until it appoints a permanent women’s minister to attend future taskforce meetings.
Government must assess the equality impact of every policy or risk turning the clock back
Social affairs
By Caroline Nokes MP
Government must assess the equality impact of every policy or risk turning the clock back
The government’s passive approach to gender equality is not enough. The Equalities Office needs to be more proactive in embedding equalities across government.
Boris Johnson Has Ordered A Review Into Tackling 'Rancid' Sexist Abuse Of Female MPs
Political parties
Boris Johnson Has Ordered A Review Into Tackling "Rancid" Sexist Abuse Of Female MPs
A fresh review into how sexist abuse targeted at female MPs can be tackled has been launched by the prime minister.
The obesity strategy must focus on wellbeing and not shame people into losing weight
Health
By Caroline Nokes MP
The obesity strategy must focus on wellbeing and not shame people into losing weight
The population has a whole cannot afford for the Prime Minister’s new drive to fail, but we will have to find new ways to engage with individual mental wellbeing.
Boris Johnson should ‘put it right’ and apologise for care home comments after backlash, says senior Tory MP
Political parties
Boris Johnson should ‘put it right’ and apologise for care home comments after backlash, says senior Tory MP
Boris Johnson should say sorry for appearing to criticise care home workers over their response to the coronavirus pandemic, a senior Conservative MP has said.
Domestic abuse survivors could be given salary advances as government launches workplace help review
Home affairs
Domestic abuse survivors could be given salary advances as government launches workplace help review
Domestic abuse victims “in real financial hardship” could be given emergency early access to their salary under government plans to offer them more support at work.
Every Conservative MP who has condemned Dominic Cummings as lockdown row escalates
Coronavirus
Every Conservative MP who has condemned Dominic Cummings as lockdown row escalates
A rolling list of every Conservative MP that has broken party ranks to condemn Dominic Cummings. There are widespread calls for the senior aide’s resignation after it was revealed over the weekend that he had travelled from London to Durham during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
We cannot afford to leave anyone behind in our response to coronavirus
Coronavirus
By Caroline Nokes MP
We cannot afford to leave anyone behind in our response to coronavirus
The Government’s response to Covid-19 risks exacerbating existing inequalities for the most vulnerable. This is why the Women and Equalities Committee has launched an inquiry to examine this further.
Caroline Nokes MP: 10 years in Parliament has turned me into a feminist. It is like arriving in a boys’ prep school
Political parties
By Georgina Bailey
Caroline Nokes MP: 10 years in Parliament has turned me into a feminist. It is like arriving in a boys’ prep school

Ahead of International Women's Day, the new chair of the Women and Equalities Committee Caroline Nokes talks to Georgina Bailey about the prime minister’s “ill-judged” comment, the women she most admires, and why the mute button is everyone’s friend
Digital skills: essential for the future workforce says Tech Minister Partner content
Economy
By Lloyds Banking Group
Digital skills: essential for the future workforce says Tech Minister

The UK will face a “remarkable challenge” if politicians and businesses don’t work together to provide the workforce with the digital skills they need for the future, Matt Warman MP, the Minister for Digital and Broadband,  said at Lloyds Parliamentary reception recently.