Interview with Rachel Reeves MP and Seema Kennedy MP, entitled 'JoCoxLoneliness Campaign'
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/1
Date:
2017-11-15 (creation)
Description:
The Jo Cox Loneliness Campaign was championed by Reeves and Kennedy in memory of the late Jo Cox MP who was murdered in June 2016 after being shot in her Batley and Spen constituency. Reeves and Kennedy co-chair the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission at time of recording and were hoping that the hashtag #happytochat would encourage others to show kindness as part of the @JoCoxLoneliness campaign. The interview: Reeves focuses on how loneliness can affect people's mental and physical health and the commission's upcoming manifesto. Both discuss Cox's upbringing and life, as well as her career as an MP. Sones, Kennedy and Reeves talk about the impact of loneliness whilst working as an MP, the importance of talking to people about motherhood and mental wellbeing. The link between loneliness and physical wellbeing is discussed and how MPs are working cross-party. Examples of local projects in various constituencies is discussed, the role and presence of male loneliness r.e. Army veterans. Sones asks about the impact of Cox's death, Reeves speaks about how proud they are to take forward Cox's work although it has not been easy.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Fiona Onasanya MP - #SlingTheMesh PMQ
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/17
Date:
2018-03-21 (creation)
Description:
Onasanya speaks about her PMQ to Prime Minister Theresa May calling upon her to support and join the #SlingTheMesh campaign to prevent further Mesh implants which can damage women's health. Onasanya discusses how mesh implants are used and the dangers associated with them. Sones asks about spending cuts and Onasanya agrees that it is a huge issue in her constituency. Sones and Onasanya discuss migrant workers and the need ensure a smooth Brexit transition.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Jo Swinson MP on #Equal Power: Northern Ireland abortion reforms, women in the boardroom, women and rape, local election results and MPs and maternity and paternity leave
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/29
Date:
2018-06-01 (creation)
Description:
Sones and Swinson discuss Northern Ireland and abortion reforms, Swinson cannot believe Northern Ireland is this far behind, especially in light of the Republic of Ireland voting to make abortion legal. The pair discuss devolution and how it impacts decisions of this kind, Swinson argues that this is a human rights issue and that devolution should not allow for human rights breaches. Sones asks about women in the boardroom and the recent government report. They discuss Swinson's book, 'Equal Power' and what advice Swinson has for women, focusing on looking at your strengths and recognising that we still live in a prejudice world. However, it is very important to listen to people and learn from those who have succeed. Swinson notes how important equality is for men and boys as improving the world as a whole. Sones asks about the recent local elections and the Liberal Democrats being the remain party. Swinson talks about how flexible being an MP whilst pregnant is, and paternal leave after birth or adoption.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Female MPs #Vote100 Documentary Part Two
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/22
Date:
2018-04-09 (creation)
Description:
This recording selects soundbites from interviews Parliamentary Radio conducted with women MPs of all political parties about the issues they championed in 2018. In part two, we hear from Jo Swinson, Sharon Hodgson, Ruth George, Lucy Powell, Maria Miller, Tessa Jowell, Catherine McKinnell, Dame Caroline Spelman, Maggie Throup and Theresa May. This recording is a summary of the previous recordings with headlines from each female MP.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with two women at Womens State Pension Rally representing shouldertoshoulder and onevoice
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/47
Date:
2018-10-10 (creation)
Description:
#ShoulderToShoulder hears from Timandra French and Leilah Leak from East Kent Waspi and #BackTo60 talk to Sones about their march to Westminister to protest pension age increases for 3.5 million women.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


WASPI: Interviews with Karen Glynn, Janet Rhodes, Julie Delve, Christine Austin, and Prafula Shah: Women's State Pension Rise Injustices Rally in Westminster #WASPI #Backto60 #OneVoice #LondonRally10thOctober2018
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/46
Date:
2018-10-10 (creation)
Description:
Hundreds of women marched from Hyde Park to Westminster from all over the country, in protest again at the rise to their state pension age. Carrying banners, and bringing traffic to a standstill outside Parliament several of the campaign groups associated with the SPA rises for women joined together #ShoulderToShoulder to raise the issue yet again with politicians and Theresa May's government.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Women MPs Of The World Debate: A First for the House of Commons
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/53
Date:
2018-11-08 (creation)
Description:
Five women MPs who brought about change in their countries tell the stories of their parliaments. Over 100 women from over eighty countries and five continents took part in a special debate in the House of Commons Chamber - it was the first time women from around the world had sat and spoken in the UK Parliament. Sones heard from Linda Fairbrother.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Sones hears from Dame Vera Baird QC Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria and former Labour MP and Solicitor General
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/65
Date:
2019-01-22 (creation)
Description:
Baird welcomes the publication of the government's new Domestic Violence Bill said she would like to see it go further and for the government to ensure that funding streams to DV support services are restored. The Bill, launched by Prime Minister Theresa May who said that throughout her political career she had 'worked to bring an end to domestic abuse and support survivors'. This looks to introduce a ban on the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in the family courts, the introduction of domestic abuse protection orders, which will place restrictions on offenders, and the introduction for the first time of a definition of domestic abuse to include economic abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical violence. Baird ended by saying that if the government are serious about this Bill and they understand what it is costing day-to-day and properly fund and support services.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Maria Miller MP: reviewing how the UK's World First Modern Day Slavery Act can be improved
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/67
Date:
2019-02-04 (creation)
Description:
Maria Miller, Conservative MP for Basingstoke and Chair of the Equalities Select Committee is to undertake a review of a flagship piece of legislation that her government introduced - The Modern Day Slavery Act, which came into force in 2015. Women MPs across party working together, were instrumental in pointing to the growing numbers of trafficked women working in nail bars, domestic service, massage parlours and in prostitution itself. The economic and social costs of modern slavery are estimated to be in the region of 4.3 billion pounds a year. Miller told Sones that we should not have people who are subject to slavery and should not have people who their rights withheld.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Female MPs on #Vote100 - 'Women speaking up for Women'
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/8
Date:
2018-02-06 (creation)
Description:
Female MPs speak about their speeches and debates (6 February 2018), Sones hears from Dame Caroline Spelman MP, Theresa May MP, Vicky Ford MP and Helen Whately MP. Introduced by Dame Spelman live from the event. Theresa May introduces the evening before Vicky Ford speaks from central lobby about social media and using it for good causes and the importance of the Year of Engineering for women. Sones and Ford walk toward a glass display case in Central Lobby which has four acts of Parliament: allowing women to become MPs (1918); giving women the vote; the Life Peerages Act, giving women the right to sit in the House of Lords; amendments to the bill that brought together in the Representation of the People Act that gave women the right to vote (1918). Ford talks about Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May and being the first female MP in the Conservative Party east of the M11. Theresa May discusses women and working class men gaining the vote during her speech at the #Vote100 event, the unveiling of a statue of Millicent Fawcett in Parliament Square and one of Pankhurst in Manchester. Sones then talks to Helen Whately MP about speaking in the chamber about #Vote100 and thinking about what the suffragettes did 100 years ago and being sure not to take it for granted. Whately focuses on health and social care and establishing a funding settlement, as women do the bulk of caring across the UK. Whately goes onto discuss how women often do the lower paid jobs in society and especially in social care, and discusses how women do not reach the heights of men in many industries. Sones asks about the abuse of women and Whately talks about women being more nervous in a public facing role. Sones moves to College Green to talk to Angela Eagle MP at the Labour women's photo call. Eagle discusses how important the #Vote100 anniversary is and the Labour Party's focus on equality, Eagle talks about making sure stronger employment laws are enforced, such as tighter controls over the sacking of pregnant women. Sones asks about 'all women shortlists' and Eagle argues the importance of having official mechanisms. Sones moves on to talk to Seema Malhotra MP whilst looking at the acts in the Central Lobby which focus on women gaining the right to vote on the same terms as men, and talks about the impact of social media and the violence of the suffragettes. Sones interviews Fiona Onasanya MP in Central Lobby, who makes the point that there was a lot left to do after 1918, and it is the same now. Onasanya is looking to create a University for Women, a stronger focus on housing in Peterborough and social care. Onsanya talks about being a new MP and not suffering any abuse so far. Sones finally met with Sharon Hodgson MP on Free School Meals and her experience after the birth of her stillborn daughter, Lucy, who she was not allowed to register. Regarding Free School Meals, she was concerned about the income threshold for being allowed school lunches. Regarding registering stillborn children, Hodgson is working to change the law to enable earlier registrations.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Dr Lisa Cameron MP and Jo Swinson MP on #Vote100 whilst looking at the Suffragette displays in Parliament
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/9
Date:
2018-02-01 (creation)
Description:
Cameron and Swinson look at five important tributes to the suffragette women. They begin by the grill in Central Lobby, Cameron reads the plaque regarding women gaining the vote. Cameron discusses what the suffragettes did and the impact the movement still has on her, Cameron was the first SNP female MP in her constituency. Sones asks whether the SNP have enough women, Cameron says that they do not and that there is much more to do. Swinson discusses what the Liberal Democrats have been doing and the need for a coherent policy regarding maternity leave in politics. Sones walks them round to the Viscount Falkland statue and Swinson discusses the statue and the importance of continually fighting for equality. Sones walks into the broom cupboard where Emily Wilding Davison hid herself during the 1911 Census so she was able to record her address on the night as the House of Commons. She died after throwing herself under the King's Horse at the Derby. Sones, Cameron and Swinson discuss the time taken for Parliament to acknowledge what the suffragettes did.
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 Public Health Minister on standing up for just causes
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/11
Date:
2019-06-27 (creation)
Description:
Sones begins by welcoming Hodgson and introducing her, Hodgson has been campaigning on access to medicines. Hodgson talks about the postcode medicine lottery and speaks about some medicines that are not available at the moment. Sones asks about previous scandals with a range of medicines including Vaginal Mesh and Education, Health and Care Plans. Sones moves the conversation onto the BBC License Fee because of the proposal to cancel the free License Fee for Over-75s, Hodgson wants the Government to act. Sones and Hodgson discuss the jobs lost from Nissan Factories being closed in relation to Brexit, speaking about Gordon Brown's scrappage scheme after the last economic downturn, she thinks that the Conservatives are acting too slowly. Sones asks about Jeremy Corbyn's position on Brexit and whether it is clear enough. Hodgson discusses how she manages a desire to remain with representing a leave constituency. The pair discuss anti-semitism and the actions that need to be taken.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


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


Interview with Anne-Marie Morris, Conservative MP for Newton Abbot and European Research Group member on Brexit and whether the 'ERG' have 'blown it on Brexit?'
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/2
Date:
2019-05-15 (creation)
Description:
Morris talks to Parliamentary Radio before Prime Minister's Questions on Theresa May's 'olive branch' to Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Leader, that she wants to work with him on Brexit. Morris notes that she spoke to all of the Party leaders a number of weeks ago and that this is groundhog day. Morris notes that May's existing deal was already a 'soft Brexit' and that the country is at the mercy of the European Union. Sones asks about resignations within the European Research Group, Morris believes that May is not putting the party or the country first, but her own vision. Sones asks about a Customs Union, Morris says she could not tolerate a Customs Union because Brexit was about having the freedom to trade with parts of the world with growing economies. Morris also states that being within a Customs Union would mean agreeing to European Law, which is too restrictive. Sones poses the question on whether the 'ERG has blown it?', Morris does not think so and that an extension has always been on the cards because of the Irish Backstop. Sones and Morris discuss a 'no-deal' Brexit, Morris sees it as the political and legal default position.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, 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:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


'When There's A Woman in the Room - Part 2' manuscript
Reference Code:
SOBA 3/1
Date:
2017-2-14-2017-4-4 (creation)
Description:
Manuscript of 'When There’s a Woman in the Room – Part 2', and separately the cover for the book; and an earlier draft version of the book.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Cambridge Mayor; City Council's Electoral Services Manager; and Council CEO
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/1
Date:
2015-3-31 (creation)
Description:
As described by the depositor: On the March 31st 2015 Vicky and her team received the Writ from the Queen to say a General Election will be held. Cambridge Mayor, Councillor Gerri Bird, was there at the Guildhall in the Market Square to receive it as she is the Returning Officer. The City Council’s CEO, Antoinette Jackson, is the Acting Returning Officer who is responsible for running the General Election. There are 80000 voters in Cambridge, quite a task for the team. Voters have to register up to 12 days before the Election, and candidates need to put their names forward by 9th April. We began by speaking to Councillor Bird, as she signed for receipt of the Parliamentary Writ.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Labour Campaign team workers
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/19
Date:
2015-5-4 (creation)
Description:
Includes interview with activist and volunteer Paul McHugh. As described by the depositor: Paul told us: “If people say in the morning of the vote they will be out and they haven’t been in the evening we will go and talk to them again. People have been phoning up for rosettes. We are concentrating on polling day on getting the vote out. Later tonight we will get Daniel to do some more phone canvassing with us, we will phone up all the Labour party members who have not offered to help us, the inactive members and remind them there is an election.”
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother




Hustings: part three
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/28
Date:
2015-4-27-2015-4-29 (creation)
Description:
Covers the Middle East and Palestinian hustings, April 27th; the Cambridge Assessment Staff hustings, April 29th; and the Churches Jubliee hustings, April 29th. As described by the depositor: Mona, The Chair and a PHD student, said: “I think it went quite well, everyone has their passions and the situation in the Middle East is difficult and that was reflected on the panel. It was a good turnout, the foreign policy issues are important. People wanted to know how will the PPCs words translate into actions in the coming parliament. UKIP did not attend but they were invited.” Simon Lebus, CEO of Cambridge Assessment said: “ We wanted to give our staff an opportunity to see what the candidates thought about education but also about Cambridge. As a big employer it is good for our staff to engage politically and find out what the candidates have to say for themselves. They were concerned about the practical issues of living and working here, the cost of housing and cycling too. “As the Chair of the event, I personally have found it very helpful, the PPCs are a thoughtful bunch. It is nicely unpredictable to be at a live hustings event, but too often questions are used as a platform for making more general political statements rather than being concise and listening to the answers of others. This was their 26th husting and it must be completely exhausting for them.” Jonathan Tame the organiser said: “We are using Twitter and a Hashtag and we have two audiences, those who are here and those not coming but who are keeping an eye on us on Twitter. We have 800 followers and it is growing fast. There are different churches here and we are trying to educate Christians about how to engage in politics, public life and the economy. Freedom of religion, freedom of expressions, poverty, food banks, we are expecting that there will be a number of hot potatoes that will come up and also immigration too probably. House prices, congestion, generation rent, these are all issues in Cambridge.”
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Green 'Big Footing' event
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/25
Date:
2015-4-15 (creation)
Description:
From a a special Green debate with the Guardian journalist Zoe Williams at Downing College, Cambridge. Includes interviews with Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett, Zac, her national campaign manager, and local activists in the audience. As described by the depositor: Natalie told us: “On Climate Change, we have really been left behind while the rest of the World, Countries like China, are towering ahead. That is one of the things our Manifesto focuses on not just energy conservation but renewables. The Green surge has grown more than four fold in the past year in a range of seats we are seeing growth and a whole range of possibilities.” Zac, the National campaigns assistant for the Green Party in England and Wales said: “We have just past 60,000 members in England and Wales so the Green surge is continuing. The green party isn’t really about Natalie it is about the ideas and policies we have got to create a fairer society. We are also challenging Norwich South, the second best result for us last time after Brighton. Cambridge was third for us in 2010. I think we are really moving into multiparty politics, which I think is a more mature system. “ Dennis O'Malley of the Stop the War coalition said he had attended the Hustings to find our “directly” what the Green Party had to say on a number of issues particularly foreign policy: “Yes, we can ask questions directly to the Leader of the Party and get them to talk about issues that they might otherwise avoid.”
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Liberal Democrat activist; and a door knocker
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/21
Date:
2015-4-12-2015-5-4 (creation)
Description:
Interviews with Liberal Democrat activist Rachel, on may 4th, and Colin, a door knocker, and the office manager Nicola Martin on April 12th at a door knocker training session. As described by the depositor: Rachel told us: “I didn’t realise how much work goes in on a local level, and how it matters. There are so many activists and councillors working locally and all you hear is what is on the national news. What Nick Clegg tweets, or what David Cameron says, and there are more people on a local level who have invested in it too.” Nicola Martin, campaign assistant for Julian Huppert said they had concentrated on putting across Julian’s positive message. “We just keep everything happy and positive about Julian, as he is the best candidate for Cambridge, so we are telling that to everyone we can.” Colin a veteran door knocker said: ”I have been door knocking since 2005, I got conned into it, but I found it was not as bad as I feared. I haven’t had any training and thought it was about time I got some. Some like it others don’t, you sometimes get nice reactions and others don’t want to be bothered, you have to be prepared for anything, wind ups, aggression, the lot.”
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Unite Against Fascism hustings
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/2/11
Date:
2015-4-20 (creation)
Description:
Includes interview with Julian Huppert, MP, and Nazarene, event organiser
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Housing hustings
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/2/14
Date:
2015-4-23 (creation)
Description:
Includes interview with Chamali Fernando, Conservative party candidate, and Duncan Stott, organiser of the event.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother