THE POWER OF INFLUENCE: Q&A with Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey OBE
Following her acting career in theatre and television, Lola Young moved on to become professor of Cultural Studies at Middlesex University, a writer, cultural critic, public speaker and broadcaster. A member of the House of Lords since 2004, Baroness Young remains an Independent Cross Bench peer. She has been involved in campaigns criminalising and combating modern forms of enslavement, human rights and equalities issues. As an Ambassador for the Ethical Fashion Forum and MADE-BY, she uses her political position to promote ethical, sustainable fashion.
Ahead of Baroness Young OBE speaking at Fashion Roundtable’s The Power of Influence event, we take the opportunity to ask her a few questions about her career, motivations and any advice on how individuals can get involved in politics.
Throughout your career in Westminster, what has been your view on the level of representation and diversity in parliament? Have you observed an improvement in the number of minority perspectives being represented or what needs to change?
The proportion of women in the House of Lords is still disappointing at 24% of the overall membership. With regard to other protected characteristics under the Equalities Act such as disability, race/ethnicity, religion/faith, LGBTI, it’s not at all clear how much progress we’ve made since numbers are hard to come by.
In my view, the political parties have improved a little regarding ethnicity and perhaps disability in terms, and perhaps more women routinely hold positions of authority – however, there is a long way to go. It may be that major reform of the House of Lords will be introduced before the parties get their act together.
In your view, what is the proudest achievement of your career in politics so far?
Making the law better is a job that needs to be done. I am pleased to have worked with loads of different people to effect change and help shape government’s thinking on issues regarding exploitative and abusive labour practices in supply chains. Pride isn’t something I feel in this context because being in a privileged position such as I am, carries responsibility.
Why is it important to you to be a cross-bench peer—especially during this intensely divisive period in politics?
Put simply, being independent allows me to access a range of people and organisations without them worrying that I have a party political agenda.
What drives your campaigning against fast fashion and why do you feel there is a slowness, both in Westminster and among the public, to change the status quo?
It’s a very complicated issue and not an easy to answer. To me the onus should be on businesses to deliver sustainable choices to us, as citizens. I certainly don’t think the bulk of responsibility for change lies with the public.
What was your entry route into politics and what challenges did you have to confront when starting out?
My experiences and observations from a very young age demonstrated to me that these was a lot of unfairness in the world. Then when I was older I decided that I wouldn’t be satisfied with simply moaning about the injustices I’d noted. The main challenge was to acquire the knowledge to analyse and understand the nature of the problems observed and the confidence to speak out.
And finally, what advice would you have for anyone who is eager to use their voice within the realm of politics and influence issues that are important to them (whether that’s the gender pay gap, environmental concerns or disability rights)?
You have a choice – to be a bystander or an up-stander. If you choose the former – please don’t complain. If you choose the latter – once you’ve made that decision, you have to find ways to live by that in whatever way your skills, talents and means allow. Develop that sense of purpose and channel your energy where it can be most effective. That may mean writing a novel or creating a clothing range.
Edited by Lottie Jackson