Brentford and Isleworth MP Mary Macleod has welcomed the birth of the new royal baby, a son for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Mary commented: “I was delighted to hear about the safe arrival of the new baby boy and I send my very best wishes to HRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Royal Family. This is a very special moment for them. The whole country is also celebrating with them in the birth of their first child.”
“The Royal Family has led the way in changing Crown Succession, so that any firstborn child, regardless of gender, would have the opportunity to become the monarch. This is a historic change, which does not affect this birth, since he is a boy, but it will have an impact on the monarchy for generations to come. I am proud to have voted for this change to Crown Succession and I hope it will lead the way to a similar change elsewhere in the aristocracy.”
Mary has been leading a campaign to eliminate male preference primogeniture in hereditary peerages and estates and had previously tabled a Ten Minute Rule Bill in the House of Commons which would mean changing inheritance rules, so that the firstborn would inherit.
Mary added:
“In today’s society, when more girls graduate from university than boys, and women have the skills and talents to take on the top jobs, it is simply unacceptable that in most cases girls are unable to inherit peerages and baronetages. We should continue to eliminate discrimination against women wherever it exists. That is why I urge the Government to look into how we can bring about this historic change for the future and create equal opportunities for men and women. This is about creating an equal, fair and modern society for the next generation.”