Anna Sabine MP: “Structural sexism must be confronted” in Opposition Day debate
Anna Sabine MP: “Structural sexism must be confronted” in Opposition Day debate
Speaking during the Liberal Democrat Opposition Day debate, Anna Sabine MP said that the case of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor highlights deeper structural issues within the UK’s institutions, warning that violence against women and girls (VAWG) continues to be sidelined in policymaking.
While the debate centred on Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s role as a trade envoy, Anna told the House that the issue went far beyond one individual.
She said:
“This debate concerns Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. But it is not only about one man. If we are honest, this is not an isolated failure. It reflects something deeper: structural sexism embedded in our institutions.”
Anna argued that despite widespread cross-party commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, the issue is too often treated as a secondary concern rather than a central test of whether government is functioning effectively.
“Violence against women and girls does not persist in this country for lack of speeches in this chamber. It persists because, structurally, it is still not treated as foundational to policymaking.”
She criticised the way VAWG policy is frequently siloed within a single ministerial brief, while areas such as defence, treasury policy and infrastructure are treated as “core business”.
“As though half the population’s safety is a niche concern rather than a central test of whether the state is functioning.”
Anna pointed to a recent example in her own work, revealing that she had written jointly to Ministers to question why the draft National Planning Policy Framework contained no reference to women’s and girls’ safety.
She described the response she received from the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government as “jaw dropping”, after officials stated that it was unclear why planning policy and violence against women and girls should be combined.
“If it is unclear to the Department responsible for planning why violence against women and girls should be considered in their work, then we have a structural problem.”
In her speech, Anna also addressed broader concerns about decision-making culture, arguing that power remains concentrated within a narrow demographic.
“Structural sexism is not about accusing every man of bad faith. It is about recognising that when power is concentrated in a narrow demographic, the range of perspectives is narrow too.”
Returning to the central subject of the debate, she argued that transparency was essential in restoring public trust.
“If Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was appointed and maintained as a trade envoy, then the public is entitled to understand how that decision was reached, what advice was given, what risks were assessed, and who signed it off.”
She called for the release of all correspondence, risk assessments and internal advice relating to the appointment.
“Transparency is the antidote to institutional deference, and without it, structural sexism continues to operate behind closed doors.”
Anna concluded by urging the Government to treat women’s safety not as a peripheral policy area, but as a core measure of institutional accountability and public trust.
ENDS