"Women have worked hard; starved in prison; given of their time and lives that we might sit in the House of Commons and take part in the legislating of this country"

Ellen Wilkinson’s words pay homage to the sacrifices and relentless effort expended by generations of women to secure a place in the political life of their country. Her statement brings to light the historical struggles women endured to gain not only the right to vote but to participate actively in the governance and decision-making processes that shape society. Wilkinson references the labor, suffering, and sacrifices, such as enduring hunger strikes in prison, that women underwent to break the barriers of political exclusion.

These struggles go beyond mere legal reform; they represent a profound transformation in societal values and norms. The mention of “starved in prison” recalls the suffragettes who, in the face of indifference and hostility, undertook hunger strikes, risking their health and lives. Such acts of defiance were not just personal sacrifices but powerful forms of resistance that drew public attention to the cause of women's rights. By emphasizing that women “have worked hard” and “given of their time and lives,” Wilkinson acknowledges both the physical and emotional labor that underpinned the movement. The phrase “that we might sit in the House of Commons and take part in the legislating of this country” implies both gratitude and responsibility. The opportunities enjoyed by contemporary women politicians are built on the foundation laid by those who came before.

Wilkinson’s statement is a call to remember the debt owed to earlier generations and to treat the right to political participation not as a given, but as a hard-won privilege. It is also a subtle reminder that political gains must be protected and used wisely. To “take part in the legislating of this country” is framed not only as a right but as an obligation to continue the work of ensuring justice, equality, and representation for all. The struggle for women’s rights, therefore, is depicted as both an achievement and an ongoing responsibility, a legacy that must inspire current and future generations.