Interview with Professor Catherine Barnard, what now for Brexit?
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/68/8
Date:
2019-03-25 (creation)
Description:
Barnard, Professor of EU Law at the University of Cambridge and Senior Fellow of 'UK in a Changing Europe' looks at the options for Brexit with four days to go until the original Brexit deadline. Barnard examines why May's deal hit the rocks, why her triggering of Article 50 so soon after the Leave vote in June 2016 and her drawing up of her list of red lines, which meant the UK would not agree to the freedom of movement of people and remaining in a customs union, rooted May firmly in the Brexiteer European Research Group's camp. Barnard says that this has stopped her reaching out across party. Barnard also responds to criticism of the EU and how it conducted the Brexit negotiations. The two stage process the EU insisted on of first negotiating the divorce in the form of the Withdrawal Agreement and then the Political Agreement, has led to considerable confusion for those seeking to understand the process. Overall, Barnard believes the EU 27 have acted well toward the UK, but that May's cabinet, the Conservative Party and Parliament has been split on the issue and a series of Indicative Votes may not resolve this. Barnard is speaking after one million marched in London to demand a People's Vote and as five million had signed an online petition to revoke Article 50. A Sky News Poll had revealed that 90% of respondents thought Brexit was a 'national humiliation' and Barnard does not see this as a surprise. Barnard says 'it's a fool's game to predict any of these scenarios. The only thing that we can do unilaterally without having to depend on the EU's agreement is to revoke Article 50'. Barnard also believes the UK Civil Service has done an extraordinary job in immensely difficult circumstances of preparing for the UK to leave the EU with or without a deal. This was recorded as part of Barnard’s 2903cb podcast and is one of thirteen she has conducted with Sones.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother












City Council’s Marketing and Press Officer; and City Council’s Electoral Services Manager
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/8
Date:
2015-5-5 (creation)
Description:
As described by the depositor: On May 5th, two days before the General Election, the City Council’s Marketing and Press Officer, Ashley Perry stood in the press balcony at the Guildhall to talk about how he and his team would manage the night of the count and field press interviews: “It’s about helping the media tell the story of the Election count. Journalists know the rules of the game but that is not necessarily so for citizen’s bloggers and citizen’s journalists. “ Hot foot from talking to Ashley, and after the close of postal-vote registration and when the postal votes were being counted at the Guildhall Vicky Breading again talked to us about her final preparations for the Day of Voting May 7th:: “There is a special sweep of the letter boxes at 10 am on the 7th for the postal votes, we do advise people to send them back earlier, but they will get picked up on the day. We have to check signatures and dates of birth on the postal votes just to authenticate it all. Every single one is checked. We have about 100 people on the night to count the ballot papers.”
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Returning Officer
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/6
Date:
2015-4-11 (creation)
Description:
As described by the depositor: A long standing Returning Officer Rob Hammond, a former CEO of the City Council, spoke to us about his work on April 11th. Rob said he enjoyed the drama of the elections, “winners and losers”. He told us he had overseen four General Elections and that there was a very detailed process to work to: “You have to plan about a year ahead”. “If something goes wrong with it you are personally responsible.” He does foresee change in the future: “I am an enthusiast but it does need changing.”
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


City Council's Electoral Services Manager
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/2
Date:
2015-4-9 (creation)
Description:
As described by the depositor: On April 9th at the close of nominations we visited Vicky again, as she read out the six candidates who had put themselves forward to be the next MP for Cambridge. Vicky explained the process for registration. Vicky said that those nominated needed the support of ten people to be accepted onto the candidates list. She went on to explain how odd ball candidates get onto the list, how people can spoil their voting papers, and how both crosses on papers and ticks will be accepted and much more.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother



City Council staff after the close of voter registration
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/2/12
Date:
2015-4-21 (creation)
Description:
Includes interview with Vicky Breading, City Council’ Electoral Services Manager, and her assistant, Emily Watts.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Churches Jubilee hustings
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/2/18
Date:
2015-4-29 (creation)
Description:
An event aimed at Christians, involving a group of churches. Includes interviews with organiser Jonathan Tame, and his events manager.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother