A candidate in the upcoming local elections has called on more women to get involved in politics after taking part in the latest #March4Women event.

Deanna Keene, who is bidding to represent Harrow Council’s Wealdstone ward, said she was inspired by the amount of people who had turned out to support the march.

The Conservative candidate paid tribute to the women who have played a key role in promoting gender equality, both in politics and in society at large.

She said: “I had never been to a march before but I was inspired to take part in this one as it is a subject that means a lot to me.

“It’s something that unites the parties – we were representing the Conservatives but Labour’s Dawn Butler was very impressive and it was great to see Sadiq Khan taking such an active role.

“This march, it was not about party politics, it was about gender equality. We are all human beings and we should all respect each other’s views.”

The #March4Women, which takes place each year on or around International Women’s Day, March 8, seeks to highlight the struggles faced by women and girls across the world.

Ms Keene was joined by members of the Conservative Women’s Organisation (CWO) North East London Region, of which she is the secretary.

Walking from the Conservative Campaign Headquarters to Trafalgar Square, they carried signs referencing women’s achievements in Parliament, including those of the current Prime Minister, Theresa May.

She, like many others, wore purple, green and white as an overall tribute to the suffragettes, as well as the fact that this year marks the centenary of women’s suffrage.

“It was a very appropriate subject matter as we honoured the women who fought for our right to vote,” she added.

“We wore hats and badges, carried banners, and sang songs to build up an atmosphere – it was a wonderful event.”

Ms Keene explained how she looks up to lots of women – both historical and contemporary.

She described Margaret Thatcher as a “true visionary” and, as someone of mixed race heritage, considers Rosa Parks to be “one of her heroes”.

But she also reserved praise for her colleagues at the CWO as well as those she regularly interacts with in Harrow.

She said: “These people work day and night and they deserve to be recognised.

“It’s all about having the confidence to speak up and to work together; that is something the march represented.”