By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said while he welcomes more women in frontline politics, nominations must ultimately be earned through merit and a commitment to public service — not gender.

“I would like to see as many as I could have,” Mr Davis said when asked how many women he wants the Progressive Liberal Party to nominate ahead of the next general election. “But you know, it is for them to come forward and for them to be able to win the hearts and minds of the electorate and the constituency they wish to run. For me, it’s not just about running women candidates. It’s about somebody who’s willing to step forward. And the gender doesn’t matter to me, but yes, I would like to see that more females would become a part.”

Mr Davis said the PLP has already placed women in key leadership and parliamentary roles and intends to build on that progress.

His comments followed House Speaker Patricia Deveaux’s push for political parties to nominate at least 15 women in the next general election. She said equal rights must include women having an equitable seat at decision-making tables.

“We talk about women having equal rights. Well, let’s base that decision around us having equal rights to sit around the table and make decisions — not just in small minorities, but in base numbers,” she said.

She said the often-hostile nature of politics discourages many women from running, citing the intense scrutiny and emotional toll on their families.

“You are attacked from all fronts — whether you do something good or bad, they find a flaw,” she said. “When you have children, a spouse, siblings, your family also bears the cost.”

Mr Davis echoed that view, saying the toxic political climate pushes away capable people of both genders.

“That’s part of the problem,” he said. “You know, the challenge in politics is that it’s become so feral. It’s so feral that it drives not just good women, but good men as well. So the good amongst us shy away from the dirt and the mud-slinging that they hear, and it’s always been my wish to see how we could clean this up.”