Little Mabel becomes first baby in Sunderland's civic chamber as councillors follow New Zealand Prime Minister's example

Coun Kelly Chequer was joined by seven-week-old Mabel at the meeting of Sunderland City Council on Wednesday, November 20.

It is thought to be the first time a councillor has brought a baby to the council chamber and Coun Chequer hopes her examples could encourage more to do the same.

“The reason Mabel is here is so I can be here,” she said during a break in last night’s four and a half hour session, ”she’s not a toddler running around the place, so at this point I think it’s an appropriate place.

“This council chamber can be perceived as being somewhere with predominantly older people in and if we’re going to encourage younger people and women to become councillors we have to show them there aren’t any boundaries to that.

“Being a councillor should fit in with your home life.”

Coun Chequer, who was elected to represent the city’s Southwick ward in 2016, is a deputy member of the ruling cabinet, as is her partner Coun Kevin Johnston, who also shared parenting duties on the night.

Both said the example set by the likes of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who made history last year (2018) as the first woman to bring her baby to a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, had been ‘inspirational’.

Last year also saw the city council back plans to extend parental leave to councillors.

Coun Chequer said there had been a ‘sea change’ in attitudes to parenting and politics and that even just four years ago, when she last gave birth, she might not have felt comfortable bringing a child to the council.

“It should be completely natural and normal,” she added.

“Sadly I think we’re quite a long way from that, but that’s more reason to do what we’re doing now and hopefully that will make people realise this chamber is no place to fear.

“There shouldn’t be a mother who feels she cannot fulfill her duties in any part of life because she has children.”