An MP says she has a better understanding of the difficulties families face after becoming a parent for the first time. Coventry North West MP Taiwo Owatemi said it is "not easy to have a family" and that "shouldn't be the case." The former backbencher turned Labour government whip also said parliament needs to change to be more family-friendly and efficient.
Ms Owatemi sat down with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) on Tuesday, 12 August. READ MORE: Coventry North West General Election result as MP Taiwo Owatemi hails a 'better future' Coventry MP Taiwo Owatemi elated after birth of 'beautiful baby girl' 'You've got to change your finances just to provide milk' The 32-year-old former pharmacist gave birth to her daughter in December. It has changed her experience of being an MP in a "positive way," she said.
Before, she would go to community engagement events but "couldn't truly engage with many families" as they had different experiences. "Whereas now I have found out new activities that are going on in the constituency that I wasn’t aware of," she explained. "Also actually I think I’m able to really engage with people more on a personal level in terms of understanding the key challenges and knowing the struggles.
" For example, childcare, which she says is a "key area" for her constituents. "I knew it was just difficult, but actually when you’re going through it you start to realise how it impacts your day to day lives," she said. "Every single week me and .