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


Interview with Baroness Julie Smith and the Liberal Democrat Surge
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/7/1
Date:
2019-05-27 (creation)
Description:
Smith talks to Women's Parliamentary Radio about the European Election Results which came the previous night. Smith is pleased with the results and thinks it was clear that those who would not usually vote Liberal Democrat did in this election on the basis of Brexit. Sones asks about the extent of the Liberal Democrat surge, Smith thinks that slogans such as 'bollocks to Brexit' and 'Stop Brexit' were ways of 'fighting fire with fire' against the Brexit Party. Whilst there was some Labour Candidates who were for Brexit, the party message was mixed according to Smith. Sones asks about Theresa May and the Conservative Leadership and the fact that 'Remain' parties got the most votes in the European election. Smith think there is a majority in 'remain' versus 'hard Brexit'.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother



ERS Round Table
Reference Code:
SOBA 6/3/30
Description:
ERS here is Electoral Reform Society. From the 'Features' section.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother



Rupert Read – Green Party general election candidate
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/11
Date:
2015-4-7-2015-5-4 (creation)
Description:
Interviewed at the April 7th Bike hustings, and in central Cambridge on May 4th by the Green Party 'sunflower' bus As described by the despositor: At the Bike Hustings Rupert told us: “All politics is local, there is a lot of concern in Cambridge about air pollution and gridlock. Leafleting and being in touch is important. We target one ward and then one seat at a time. ” While leafleting beside the Green sunflower bus (powered by used chip fat) in Cambridge City City, (May 4th) Rupert said one to one voter contact in the streets was still really important. “We do lots of fancy stuff on social media with the Green Party but if you are not out on the streets meeting real people, and people who live where you are trying to get elected, then you are not going to get elected. Our positive vision swings voters over. We’re trying to make the World a better place. ”
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Oscar Gillespie – Green Party local City Council candidate and activist
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/17
Date:
2015-4-4-2015-5-4 (creation)
Description:
Interviewed at the UA Fascism picnic, April 4th, and on the Green sunflower powered bus on Bank Holiday Monday May 4th. As described by the depositor: When we caught up with Oscar on Bank Holiday Monday May 4th he had been out in the streets of Cambridge canvassing all day, and he told us. “We have to speak to people face to face, we have to meet people. We are not accepting donations from companies that want to influence our policies, so we don’t have the same resources, or from tax dodgers who want to make sure the law stays on their side. “Our biggest resource is the people who believe in what we believe in. We are passionate about public transport, to allow people to get to work or to do their shopping, our reliance on cars is incredible dangerous and unsustainable, it is mindless. We will need to use recycled oil buses like this one, or solar powered ones, if we get that far we will have made some really important choices. “I wouldn’t call our Sunflower bus a stunt, it is easy to take information around the Country with them. We have some of the worst air pollution in the country in Cambridge due to the volume of traffic that comes through. Our Party Leader, Natalie Bennett will be visiting the Bus tomorrow, and today our Deputy Leader Amelia Womack came here. “
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother




Technology blogger
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/35
Date:
2015-5-7 (creation)
Description:
Interview with Phil Rogers, technology blogger. As described by the depositor: Phil said he has resigned from the LD Party over its policy on tuition fees in 2010. He said: “I have a blog about Cambridge politics and it has some data visualisation, I am a former political activist interested in political issues and a Software developer. “It is 12.45, at the verification stage with the ballot boxes still but from the Gallery in the Guildhall you can see if people are cheerful or not cheerful. It is going to be evident from up here in the gallery – those empty racks that stack up later - what the result is from the numbers of pieces of paper, but we are not able to communicate that until it has been prepared and announced officially. Social media is a useful adjunct to a campaign but the election campaigns are fought on the doorstep and with pieces of paper and I don’t see that changing. “I tend to delve into the data to see what the data is telling us and what we can find out from it. I am active on Twitter there is quite a Twitter community around Cambridge politics, the “Guildhall Groupies”, as we are called. Mainstream media do a great job in Cambridge but I am really writing for not such a broad audience but for those who are engaged in what the issues are and want to look at them in a bit more detail, such as other political activists. I do try and keep people amused as well as informed. “
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Voters, tellers and party workers.
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/36
Date:
2015-5-7 (creation)
Description:
Assorted interviews from the day of the vote itself. As described by the depositor: The voter: On the day of the count we accompanied one voter Alison Litherland, from her home to the polling booth at St Matthew’s Church - a walk that lasted 7 and a half minutes. Alison said: “I am not a member of any political party. I have watched some of the national debates and I have been to some of the Hustings and I have also had lots of leaflets through the door, most of which I have not really read. I do know the policies of all the main parties and I generally vote for the party whose policies I agree with. I have thought about tactical voting, but that way madness lies. “There are more posters and leaflets than I have seen before, the parties have been very active. There is a lot of concern around here about social justice and a lot of scepticism about the Conservative government’s claim to have to reduce the national debt. “I have never told the Party Tellers who stand outside the polling booth in the Church hall how I am going to vote, I give them my number and that is it. They do it to knock up people who they have canvassed and who have said they will vote for them.” The Tellers St Matthew’s: One Teller at St Matthew’s Church Hall told us: “We are taking people’s polling card numbers; we record them so we don’t “knock them up” later in the day so we know if those people have voted.” Another Teller said: “It is all confidential,” while a third Teller commented: “We are given a full official briefing and told what the regulations are even to how big our rosettes are. We are not allowed to go into the polling station or campaign and give leaflets out or talk to people or each other about a politics.” The Party Workers: We visited the Labour campaign hub in Alex Wood Hall in Norfolk Street, twice on the day of the vote. In the morning party workers spoke to us as they were getting polling returns and tallying these against their potential voters. Labour activist Ken, narrated the scene in front of him. Ken told us: “We have previously been round finding out who will vote Labour and we have used that information to create a list. We call it our “knock up” list and as people pass the polling station, we collect the polling card number from their card and collate this in order that we don’t then go and knock up the voters who have voted. If anyone is left on the list we then go and remind them that it is polling day, normally at mid-day or after traditional work hours around 5pm in the evening. “We can drive them to the poll if they are disabled or have a disability but most of it is about reminding them it is Election Day. We are representing Petersfield ward today, where the office is based, but there will be similar offices in people’s homes in the wards they represent so that we are in striking distance of the voters.” Poster voter activist: In the morning we spoke to one voter Phil, who had driven to the Labour HQ to get some Vote Labour boards that had been taken down in his street Pretoria Road, leaving only Vote LD posters standing. Phil said: “Someone stole all the vote Labour posters in my street in Pretoria Road, Cambridge, so I have come to the Labour HQ to get some more and replace them. I am a supporter of the Labour party but not a member. They left all the LD ones, I thought people shouldn’t steal these things so I came and got some more. I have voted already. It is a bit terrible really, it feels underhand to me. ” An elderly voter: Brian Butler, 84, in Abbey Ward, walked with us to his polling booth with his wife. Brian told us: ”Three months before the election you get a card through your door to fill in and if you are on the list you don’t fill it in and if you aren’t you fill it in and get given a number. A fortnight before Election Day you get given a polling card and told where to vote and get given a number. I am 84 and I have voted in every election since I came out of the Forces. I vote for the person I think will do something for Cambridge, irrespective of what party they are. My wife and I are number 44 and 46!” The Tellers Abbey Ward: Martin a Liberal Democrat Teller at Abbey Ward Polling Booth told us: “We are ticking our supporters off so we know if they have voted”. “Mostly people are happy to give us their numbers but if not we don’t ask for them. I think it is a really important means of ensuring we get our people out to vote.” Martin is also a “Knocker Upper”, he said: “Mostly because people have already said they will support us they are generally happy to see us and they ask us if we are going to win. We would send a car if they wanted a lift but we don’t walk them to the polls.” He thought the present system of voting served us well: “This is a very secure way of voting rather than online, but if it went online you wouldn’t have Tellers. To me it doesn’t make any sense to hold an Election on a working day, I would have it over two days and at least one of them a weekend day. With online voting it is hard to secure, this is a low tech process but it works.” Another Abbey Ward Teller of 20 years Martin a Labour supporter said: “People use their body language if they don’t want to give a number”. “We were told at about 10 am that 20 per cent had voted already which sounds a good turn out.” Julia Ball another Teller said: “I have been a Teller for about the last ten years for the Labour Party, it is quite useful.”
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Unused audio
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/40
Date:
2015-4-4-2015-5-5 (creation)
Description:
Alternate versions of interviews that were not ultimately used. Includes extended version of Rupert Read from the Bike Debate (part in SOBA 5/1/11); a combination of the interviews with City Council’s Marketing and Press Officer, the City Council’s Electoral Services Manager, and a reporter from the Cambridge Evening News (SOBA 5/1/8 and 5/1/34); a shorter version of the Julian Huppert interviews at the Unite Against Fascism events (SOBA 5/1/13); and an extended version of the Nat Bennett interview (SOBA 5/1/25).
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Cambridge Evening News: part two
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/34
Date:
2015-5-5 (creation)
Description:
Interviews with Chris Elliot, political editor and reporter at the Cambridge Evening News. As described by the depositor: When we met Chris in the Boardroom of the CEN two days before the General Election he was getting his troops in order. He said: “For the first time ever we are not going to produce a newspaper on the morning after the Election because the results don’t come through until 4 or 5 O’clock. From a production point of view we are going to do it online. “We are going to have Twitter, a live blog on our website, separate stories will be posted direct from the count via email and our laptops straight onto the CEN website. It is a revolution compared to previous elections. Social media is a lot more up and running now than it was in 2010. “We have 9 counts and we are going to have reporters at five of them, picking up details from the other four. They will be emailing their material to another member of staff who will be at home, not even in the office, who will feed them into a live blog. Twitter is the fastest way to get the results out there, it will be on our individual Twitter accounts and then onto our website. “We now have a 30 or 40 thousand readership and on a daily basis we get 50 to 60 thousands hits on our website. It is a big change from the days when I started in journalism 30 years ago when we would sell 60 or 70 thousand papers a night, the website isn’t up to that speed yet but it is getting there. “My first General Election was in 1979, when Thatcher came to power, we then had three terms of Tony Blair, then John Major, and I have covered all of these things through the prism of Cambridge. “In the office we are monitoring Twitter all the time in case something pops up that is of interest to us. The national papers can be political and support a particular party but we have to be factual. We have ensured that all the parties have had a fair say and we are pleased about that and now we have to wait and see what happens on Thursday. “
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 and her assistant
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/3
Date:
2015-4-21 (creation)
Description:
As described by the depositor: The day after the close of voter registration on April 21st we recorded interviews with Vicky and her assistant Emily Watts, the Electoral Support Officer, about the Council’s outreach work to get people to register to vote. Cambridge is a student Town. A record number of people registered to vote, over 100000. Newspapers, TV and social media helped push those numbers up and the team ran an “informative” Twitter account. Turnout last time was 67.1 per cent, (national average was 65) and in May 2015 it was fewer at 62.1 per cent. (national average 66.1). Paper, equipment and staff training are next on Vicky’s to do list.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Harriet Harman's Pink Bus
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/2/1
Date:
2015-2-25 (creation)
Description:
Interviews with Daniel Zeichner (candidate) and Harriet Harman MP on Harman's Pink Bus.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Reflections on King's College hustings; and interview with Cambridge Liberal Democrat Treasurer
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/2/24
Date:
2015-5-6 (creation)
Description:
Includes interview with Cambridge Liberal Democrat Treasurer Rod Cantrill; and reflections on the April 30th King’s College hustings with co-Chair Eleni Courea.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green party campaigns
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/2/21
Date:
2015-5-4 (creation)
Description:
Includes interviews at the Labour party HQ with general election candidate Daniel Zeichner; beside the Green party 'sunflower bus' in Cambridge City centre with general election candidate Rupert Read and City Council candidate Oscar Gillespie; and at the Liberal Democrat party HQ with Spencer Haggard, party chair.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Cambridge Assessment hustings
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/2/19
Date:
2015-4-29 (creation)
Description:
Staff hustings for Cambridge Assssment, a large local employer. Includes introductions of all the general election candidates, and an interview with Simon Lebus, CEO of Cambridge Assessment.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother



Day of voting
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/2/25
Date:
2015-5-7 (creation)
Description:
Covering 9am to 6pm on the day of the General Election. Includes interviews with voters, party tellers and activists.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother