Oliver yesterday welcomed to Parliament Radlett councillor Caroline Clapper, for the events marking the 100th anniversary of the law giving women the right to stand for election to the House of Commons.

Each Member of Parliament was contacted by the 50/50 Parliament campaign to nominate one outstanding woman from their constituency to attend. The day consisted of a series of meetings and discussions about how to increase the number of women in the Commons.

Cllr Clapper currently serves as the County Councillor for Watling and Borough Councillor for Aldenham West, both of which cover Radlett.

Speaking yesterday, Oliver said: ‘I was delighted to be able to nominate Caroline for this event. She is a fantastic local representative for her community and I know works tirelessly on their behalf.

‘I support this campaign by the 50/50 Parliament, because the House of Commons makes better decisions when our MPs reflect the wide range of experiences and backgrounds we have in our country.’

Cllr Clapper and Oliver also spoke with Work & Pensions Secretary, the Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP, who was attending alongside other senior female MPs.

Cllr Clapper added: ‘I was honoured to be selected and thoroughly enjoyed the day in Parliament with Oliver. I particularly enjoyed our discussions with Amber Rudd and felt enormously inspired to be present at the commemoration of such an important milestone for women in politics.’

The Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918 became law on 21 November 1918 and meant that all women over the age of 21 could now stand for election. It followed the Representation of the People Act 1918 which gave women over the age of 30 and who owned a certain amount of property the vote for the first time. Men and women did not receive the vote on equal terms until a new Representation of the People Act was passed in 1928