Interview with Gavin Shuker, Labour MP for Luton South on Brexit and Antisemitism in the Labour Party

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/13

Date:

2019-07-17 (creation)

Description:

Sones asks him primarily about an article he wrote in the Guardian in which he asks Labour MP to move against Jeremy Corbyn, Shuker formed Change UK which Sones described as 'unsuccessful'. Sones does not think Shuker's wish for Labour MPs to move against Corbyn will happen. Sones and Shuker discuss a possible vote of no confidence. Shuker speaks about anti-semitism and Brexit being discussed by Jeremy Corbyn but no substantial action being taken on either issue. Shuker thinks UK politics is spilt four-ways, he believes that any election will result in a coalition. Shuker does not think that the country is in 'peacetime' and so working with former Conservative colleagues is not an issue because of the issues facing the country. Sones and Shuker discuss online abuse legislation and asks about various amendments in Northern Ireland.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Helen Goodman, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland on a No-deal Brexit and Commons Procedures

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/14

Date:

2019-09-04 (creation)

Description:

Sones interviews Goodman after Alexander 'Boris' Johnson's first Prime Minister Questions, Goodman thinks Johnson finds it more difficult than he lets on and was not a good performer at the Foreign Office. Jeremy Corbyn challenged Johnson on his 'do or die' attitude to leaving the European Union. Sones asks about Parliament taking control of the timetable for Brexit discussions and Jacob Rees-Mogg's act of 'sprawling' on the House of Commons' benches. Goodman speaks about Nicholas Soames and Kenneth Clarke being expelled from the Conservative Party for defying the Whip, she believes that this symbolises the lack of compromise that the Brexit debate has represented. Sones raises Caroline Lucas MP's suggestion that the United Kingdom should have a written constitution, Goodman agrees in principle but thinks Brexit needs sorting first.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Dame Caroline Spelman, Conservative MP for Meriden as she stands down and highlights the abuse MPs receive and the 'straw that broke the camel's back'

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/15

Date:

2019-09-12 (creation)

Description:

Sones thanks Spelman for supporting Women's Parliamentary Radio with books and articles, Spelman is on their advisory committee. Spelman speaks about the abuse she has received for being against a 'No-Deal' Brexit, Spelman says that the abuse she has received since 2016 has been unprecedented. She speaks about the words 'traitor' and 'collaborator' being used in national newspapers about her stance, Spelman walks around her constituency with a 'panic button' around her neck. Spelman worries about her staff and her family and how they are treated. Spelman speaks about how violence toward women is sexualised, in comparison with men, including threats of rape and assault. Sones moves onto ruling out a 'no-deal' Brexit, Spelman disagrees with being described as a 'rebel' and speaks about why she did not have the Whip removed for voting against the Government. Spelman and Sones discuss what should happen to MPs who no longer represent their Party. Sones asks Spelman about her career as an MP to date and lists some of her achievements, Spelman thanks her constituents and her team for six consecutive election victories. Sones asks about having personal beliefs versus representing the constituency. Spelman admits that it has been very difficult, especially with Jaguar Land Rover operating from her constituency and the negative impact a 'no-deal' Brexit could have on the Car Industry.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Professor David Howarth, University of Cambridge and former MP on why Alexander 'Boris' Johnson 'should have already gone'

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/16

Date:

2019-09-17 (creation)

Description:

Sones asks Howarth about the prorogation of Parliament and a ruling in Scotland. Howarth discusses the importance of the decisions and what prorogation means. Howarth goes onto to discuss the relationship between the House of Commons, The Prime Minister and The Queen. Howarth discusses the relationship between the Police, Courts and the Government and the potential impacts of the breaking down of the rule of Law.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton and a member of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, on prorogation

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/17

Date:

2019-09-24 (creation)

Description:

Sones asks about the Supreme Court, which is sitting to hear two appeals relating to the prorogation of Parliament. As a member of the Constitutional Select Committee, Huq says that this is unprecedented and thinks the Executive has got too powerful in this case. Sones and Huq discuss the Brexit Referendum and the impact it has had on how the people view of the Executive. Huq ties this into how Alexander 'Boris' Johnson, Prime Minister, has behaved in previous roles and in his personal life. Huq discusses how ridiculous it is that MP's are attacking the courts and electioneering whilst in office. Huq does not think that the Brexit-led Committee discuss issues close to the Prime Minister, including questions over the Prime Minister's Special Advisor Dominic Cummings. Sones and Huq discuss the need for a written constitution and Huq thinks it is broken because the Government is behaving as a 'medieval' force.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Professor Catharine Barnard @2903cb on the Supreme Court

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/18

Date:

2019-09-26 (creation)

Description:

Sones speaks to Barnard as the Supreme Court ruled that the Government acted unlawfully when proroguing Parliament. Barnard discusses who takes the blame for this, she does not believe Geoffrey Cox is to blame. Barnard is not concerned about criticism of the judiciary as long as it is about their legal decision, not their 'bias'.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Baroness Anne Jenkin, a co-founder of 'Women to Win' and on the abuse of MPs

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/19

Date:

2019-10-08 (creation)

Description:

Sones speaks about Prime Minister Johnson's response to a Labour MP raising the abuse she has experienced as an MP by reply to her by saying 'it was humbug', Sones notes that even The Spectator was shocked by Alexander 'Boris' Johnson's rhetoric. Sones and Jenkin discuss the language and rhetoric used in the House of Commons in 2019, Jenkin does not believe the behaviour will improve before Brexit comes to an end. Sones speaks about words such as 'surrender' and 'betrayal' and asks Jenkin about whether the Party has become more 'blokeish'. Jenkin believes it is too early to tell, but less women are coming forward for selection. The pair discuss why there are less women coming forward and joining the Conservative Party.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Seema Malhotra, Labour MP for Feltham and Heston, on 'rare diseases'.

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/20

Date:

2019-10-08 (creation)

Description:

Malhotra spoke up in Parliament about a rare disease associated with low immune issues that a constituent of hers suffers from, after using medication used to treat Multiple Sclerosis. Malhotra hopes that NHS England will change policy on medication for rare disease, Sones points out that the Health Minister did not give way to Malhotra's idea. However, there was discussion about a new strategy for rare diseases, hopefully allowing the NHS to react to diseases outside of the mainstream. Sones and Malhotra discuss how this and the Domestic Abuse Bill is Parliament working at its best, as 'Brexit' has created a fractious environment.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Maria Miller, Conservative MP for Basingstoke and Chair of the Equalities Select Committee as MPs are asked to plant a tree and cut carbon emissions

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/21

Date:

2019-10-24 (creation)

Description:

Sones and Miller are looking onto an Extinction Rebellion protest to get Ministers to 'pick up a tree', Sones follows Miller as she tries to find her tree (based on her constituency location). Sones speaks to an Extinction Rebellion member. Miller plans on taking the tree back to Basingstoke to show how important trees are for a healthy environment. Miller discusses the protests and says that everything she sees is positive. The ER Member wants to raise awareness about the fact that the Government has not planted enough trees to redress the issues and they want to change the zero-emissions date to 2025. Miller thinks that whilst government legislation is important, it needs people to change how they act and live their lives.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Lucy Allen, Conservative MP, on Brexit and Health

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/22

Date:

2019-10-24 (creation)

Description:

Allen asked the Prime Minister about her local hospital in Telford and the possibility about closure, Allen wants the Prime Minister's pledge for the NHS to be more than words. Sones and Allen speak about Johnson's focus on the NHS and levelling up the NHS across the country, particularly in places like Telford. Allen thinks that without a General Election, Parliament will continue to delay Brexit. Sones asks about abuse that Allen has faced, Allen speaks about how 'nasty' the 2017 General Election was in Telford.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Washington and Sunderland West and Shadow Minister for Public Health on voting down the new Brexit Bill in a Leave voting constituency

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/23

Date:

2019-11-05 (creation)

Description:

Sones asks about the Prime Minister's new Brexit Bill, Hodgson voted against the Reading and Programme because the Government tried to get it through Parliament without scrutiny. Hodgson believes the 'deal' was worse than the one that Theresa May brought to Parliament. Sones asks if it was difficult as Hodgson represents a 'leave voting' constituency, but Hodgson wants to vote for a deal that benefits her constituents whereas those offered to date simply try to appease the European Research Group and Democratic Unionist Party. Hodgson did not vote or support Theresa May's deal because it did not support workers' rights, but was satisfied with the 'backstop'. Hodgson and Sones discuss the makeup of a possible election and discuss The Conservatives possibly winning in the North of England.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Nicky Morgan MP, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport steps down but encourages other women to stand

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/24

Date:

2019-11-05 (creation)

Description:

Sones speaks to Morgan on one of her last days in the House of Commons and asks why she's standing down. Morgan cites personal and family reasons as being in politics impacts everyone around you. Morgan speaks about 'Super Saturday', a series of votes on the Prime Minister's 'deal', Morgan decided to head back home and was instructed to sit at the front of the train because of the amount of 'remainers' on the train and the fear instilled in MPs after the murder of Jo Cox MP. Sones and Morgan discuss the impact of threats and abuse, and the particular impact and targeting of female MPs. Sones asks about Morgan's position on Brexit as someone who campaigned as a 'remainer' in 2016, Morgan does not think that Parliament has compromised enough on Brexit. Sones asks about how much Parliament has changed, Morgan thinks it has and will continue to regarding communications, scrutiny and equality. Sones asks about austerity, Morgan disagrees with the term and prefers 'government living within its means', she cites figures on unemployment and infrastructure.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Meg Hillier, Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. Hillier was knocked out in the first round of voting for the new Speaker of the House of Commons

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/25

Date:

2019-11-14 (creation)

Description:

Hillier stood for Speaker of the House, Hillier expands on why and Sones is curious as to why many recommendations in reference to bullying in Parliament have not been implemented as of yet. Hillier thinks MPs need better Human Resources advice and trained office managers, many MPs rush into the role without any experience once they get into Parliament. Hillier says that when there is an issue with an MP, it is often the staff member who gets removed from their role. Hillier thinks that Parliament has been modernised under John Bercow's speakership but that there is a long way to go where bullying is concerned. Sones asks whether Parliament has done its job in recent years, she believes so as it kept the Executive in check, but that it was a difficult system to operate in. However, Hillier does believe that there have been many things that have not gone through Parliament as there is no majority either way.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Interview with Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Advisor at CBR

Reference Code:

SOBA 2/26

Date:

2019-11-14 (creation)

Description:

Sones interviews Pryce at the Royal Society of Arts for the launch of Pryce's new book, 'Women vs. Capitalism: why we can't have it all in a free market economy'. Pryce does not believe that there are enough incentives for organisations to put women and men on the same level in terms of pay and conditions, so government needs to intervene. Pryce discusses the book, the wage gap between men and women and education.

Collection:

Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother

Speech by WSC at the Jubilee Dinner of the Association of HM Inspectors of Taxes

Reference Code:

WCHL 12/24/29

Date:

1952-05-23 (creation)

Collection:

Other Deposited Collections Relating to Sir Winston Churchill

Audio tape of Phyllis Willmott's oral history interviews with Michael Young about his early life, 1915-29

Reference Code:

YUNG 10/6/3

Date:

2000 (creation)

Description:

Side 1: Michael Young's mother, Edith Young, an actress and teacher, and his father, Gibson Young, a violinist; doubts about whether his father was actually a Russian Communist refugee, who lodged with the family in Hale, Greater Manchester; the family's move to Melbourne, Australia, and their life there; his experience of parental neglect; his father's return to England; the possibility of adoption; his move to live at his grandparents' home in Melbourne, with weekly visits to his mother; his return to England with his mother to live in London; and the gradual breakdown of his parents' relationship. Duration: 35;06 minutes. Recorded on 10 November 2000.
Side 2: happier memories of childhood in Australia, swimming in the lagoon, a tram trip to the zoo, hiking in the hills, and his mother's literary circle of friends; living with his parents in one room in Chelsea in London on their return to England; elementary school near the Fulham Road and boarding preparatory schools in Bristol and in Cockfosters; and moving at the instigation of an aunt, who was involved in progressive education, to Dartington Hall School. Duration: 28:29 minutes. Recorded on 19 November 2000.

Collection:

The Papers of Michael Young

Audio tape of Phyllis Willmott's oral history interviews with Michael Young about his early life, 1929-33

Reference Code:

YUNG 10/6/4

Date:

2000 (creation)

Description:

Side 1: Michael Young's introductory visit to Dartington Hall School and being driven round the estate by Whitney Straight; further memories of the Grange preparatory boarding school in Cockfosters; his interest in sport; starting as a pupil at Dartington; his mother, Edith Young, living with the writer Philip Henderson at Abbotsbury in Dorset; a room of his own at Dartington; the children's dining room and the good and plentiful food; the informal teaching style in private rooms, the children's involvement in deciding the curriculum and non-compulsory attendance at lessons; working on the estate, particularly the orchard, the cider house, and growing daffodils; his interest in painting, influenced by his artist uncle, Ronald Ossory Dunlop, and his art teacher, Adrian Kent; winning a scholarship and meeting Dorothy Elmhirst; repairing and racing old motorbikes with a fellow pupil; Whitney Straight buying an aeroplane and learning to fly; the new Headmaster, W. B. Curry; and Dorothy Elmhirst and her children. Duration: 42:44 minutes. Recorded on 9 December 2000.
Side 2 is unused.

Collection:

The Papers of Michael Young

Audio tape of Phyllis Willmott's oral history interviews with Michael Young about his early life, 1929-33

Reference Code:

YUNG 10/6/5

Date:

2001 (creation)

Description:

Side 1: Michael Young's time at Dartington Hall School; outdoor work on the estate, particularly woodland management; buying and repairing motorbikes with a fellow pupil; Margaret Barr, the dance teacher; organising and running businesses to sell eggs from the poultry farm on Totnes market and vegetables from the garden to the school kitchen; staying during the summer holidays with Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst in the United States and the friendship with her son, Michael Straight, engineered by Dorothy; the journey on a White Star Line transatlantic liner; arriving in New York; Dorothy Elmhirst's servants in the United States; her apartment on Park Avenue and her country estate at Old Westbury, New York; travelling between the two in the family's private train carriage; a trip to the Whitney family estate in the Adirondack mountains; the personal significance of his relationship with Dorothy Elmhirst; staying with the Roosevelts at the White House; tennis lessons at Forest Hills; failing and then narrowly passing his Matriculation; his asthma; and the Elmhirsts helping him find a job at PEP (Political and Economic Planning) and funding his studies at LSE and the Bar. Duration: 46:12 minutes. Recorded on 11 January 2001.
Side 2 is unused.

Collection:

The Papers of Michael Young

Audio tape of Phyllis Willmott's interviews with Michael Young about his early life, 1933-53

Reference Code:

YUNG 10/6/6

Date:

2001 (creation)

Description:

Side 1: Michael Young moving to London and living at Toynbee Hall in the East End; working at McKenna and Co, Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst's firm of solicitors in the City, presided over by Fred Gwatkin; moving on his own to a rented flat in Bloomsbury; membership of the Holborn branch of the Labour Party and standing as a candidate for the Council in Holborn and St Pancras; moving in with his mother, Edith Young, in Bloomsbury; studying for the Bar at Gray's Inn; taking an evening course at the LSE and then switching to study Economics, Politics, Social History and Law full-time there; being elected Secretary of the LSE Students' Union; going to anti-Fascist demonstrations in London with his mother, Edith, during the Spanish Civil War; his first girlfriends; travelling around on his motorbike and visiting Dartington; his continuing relationship with Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst; qualifying as a barrister; working on a plan for wartime manpower policy for Max Nicholson at PEP (Political and Economic Planning); recruitment by Lord Perth to a Civil Service unit making preparations for wartime and the withdrawal of the offer because he had been identified by MI5 as a student Communist; joining PEP as a research officer instead; the post-war reconstruction group set up by Max Nicholson and their discussions of future plans for Europe. Duration; 47:04 minutes. Recorded on 29 May 2001.
Side 2: working at PEP on post-war reconstruction on the domestic front and how to pay for the war (pamphlet titled "Financial Mysticism"); meeting John Maynard Keynes to talk about the latter; his report on preparation for the emergency response to the bombing of London (pamphlet titled "London Under Bombing"); leaving PEP to work in a marine munitions factory in Swindon; joining the Home Guard and training with Tom Winteringham at Osterley Park; becoming the labour manager for the munitions factory, recruiting women workers, liaising with the trade unions, distributing the petrol ration, and progress chasing orders supplied to shipyards around the country; boarding with the Palphramand family in Swindon; meeting Joan Lawson, who later became his first wife; returning to PEP as director; moving to head the Labour Party Research Department at Transport House; the 1945 General Election campaign; Peter Willmott's letter about "Small Man, Big World", meeting each other, and recruiting him to the Research Department; the 1950 and 1951 General Elections; Michael Young's idea for a consumer advice service; his world tour to India, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and a narrow escape from a plane crash; his lifelong friendship and working relationship with Peter and Phyllis Willmott; leaving the Research Department and spending time at the Tavistock Institute; starting a PhD on the extended family in Bethnal Green supervised by Richard Titmuss and based at Oxford House. Duration: 36:34 minutes. Recorded on 10 July 2001?

Collection:

The Papers of Michael Young