Interview with Anushka Asthana, Joint Political Editor of the Guardian - Review of the Week
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/19
Date:
2018-03-21 (creation)
Description:
Asthana reviews her week in UK politics. Sones introduces the discussion by talking about Russia, Brexit and the Labour Party. Asthana talks about the Salisbury Nerve Agent Attack by Russian Operatives and Jeremy Corbyn MPs response as he brought up Russian-Conservative donations and Vladimir Putin. Asthana discusses the international response to congratulating Putin's re-election versus their support for Theresa May's speech in Parliament, talking against Putin. Sones and Asthana discuss the common fisheries policy and immigration during the Brexit transition period. The pair discuss the relationship between The Labour Party, Momentum, Blairites and Sure Start Centres.
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 One
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/21
Date:
2018-04-06 (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. We hear from Dame Caroline Spelman, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Harriet Harman, Melanie Onn, Fiona Onasanya, Alison McGovern, Maria Caulfield, Angela Eagle, Sharon Hodgson, Seema Malhotra, Theresa May, Vicky Ford, Helen Whately, Jo Swinson and Lisa Cameron. 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 Clare King, Labour candidate for West Chesterton, Cambridge
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/25
Date:
2018-05-10 (creation)
Description:
Clare King was selected on an All-Women shortlist to be the Labour Candidate for West Chesterton in May 2018. She lost by 111 votes, but three of her female colleagues did win their seats elsewhere. This was not the first time that the Cambridge Labour Party has used all women shortlists for the selection of candidates to fight ward seats but it was the first time the rules had been applied to strictly. King was also in charge of the procedure committee, the Cambridge PLP General Secretary, and press officer for her party. She ensured objections to candidates on all women shortlists were dealt with properly and that enough women came forward. King previously held a seat for the Liberal Democrats but changed party after they went into the coalition government with the Conservatives in 2010. King discusses how she feels the election was lost because of postal votes and strategy in comparison with the Labour Party. King discusses the demographics of Cambridge and how to make voters feel welcome. Sones asks about all women's shortlists, Stone's role as Procedures Secretary was overseeing the all women's shortlist. Stone's role was to ensure the process was fair and to redress the imbalance. In Cambridge, if a councillor stands down, the Labour Party decided that the person to take over would be chosen from an all women shortlist.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Remembering Baroness Tessa Jowell MP
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/26
Date:
2015-05 (creation)
Description:
This is a recording of a documentary made in May 2015 by Parliamentary Radio in which Jowell and her Labour Cabinet colleagues talk about their achievements in government for Labour. Jowell is interviewed by journalist Jackie Ashley and reflects on women in Parliament and #SureStart and #Olympics2012. Jowell passed away on 12 May 2018 after a heroic struggle with a brain tumour during which she fought for better treatment for cancer patients. The Government said that they would double brain cancer research funding to 40 million pounds a year. Jowell talks about the working hours in Parliament as MPs. Jowell talks about her experience with Prime Minister Tony Blair. Sones and Jowell discuss working in Parliament and the work-life balance and carrying on working on the Olympics even after she was not in The Cabinet. Sones asks about whether the amount of female MPs in 1997 had changed the environment in Parliament, Jowell thinks it has and this is evidenced by changes around the working hours, simple changes such as to the amount of toilets and changes to the Smoking Room as female MPs occupied the room every Tuesday.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Rupa Huq Women and Brexit
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/41
Date:
2018-09-04 (creation)
Description:
Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton held a debate in Parliament's Westminster Hall to discuss the impact of 'Brexiting' the EU on women and their families. Huq believes that Brexit would affect women, particularly those in low paid caring jobs, who would also have to bear the brunt of any resulting economic downturn when many were already in insecure and low paid jobs. Conservative Minister Victoria Atkins responded to her concerns saying that the government would be conducting a gender audit of any legislative changes post Brexit. She said the UK was leading the World on its policies on gender pay gap audits. Huq hoped that Labour would reject Theresa May's Chequers Deal.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Jessica Elgot, Political Correspondent, TheGuardian.Com Newspaper
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/61
Date:
2018-12-20 (creation)
Description:
Elgot discusses the last PMQs of the December 20th session and the 'Stupid Woman Gate' remark said to have been made by Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, 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:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, 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:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, 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:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, 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:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother








Patrick O’Flynn – UKIP general election candidate
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/1/15
Date:
2015-4-18 (creation)
Description:
Interviewed while campaigning in King's Hedges. As described by the depositor: We met Patrick O’Flynn when he and his team were campaigning in a target ward for them, Kings Hedges. He said: “This is one of the more working class wards in Cambridge and we have had a series of action days where we have targeted and leafleted people in our target wards, which tend to be the more blue collared wards. Last night we had a big public meeting in the Ward in the Arbury Community Centre, and other members of our Party attended. We had the added attraction of Douglas Carswell, and I am UKIP national campaign director too so I have been on the television quite a lot. Douglas brought in the extra turnout and we had a really good night. We are getting the leaflets through the door, but it is very mixed. Some say there is no place for UKIP in Cambridge, because we want migration controls. “I do Tweet but I don’t do Facebook but the Party puts a lot into Facebook with Nigel Farage and others in the party. We are coming from a fairly low base in Cambridge but we are the new kid on the Cambridge scene but we have taken massive strides forward. We have eight candidates for 14 wards, I am proud of that, and through the local elections we will find out where our strength lies to hopefully go on to win local seats in 2016. “Cambridge is a Liberal Left city but the liberal left vote is split so it gives me a niche between the blue collar and Conservative vote who might like some of our pledges on defence spending and looking after some of our veterans, law and order and EU and immigration and inheritance tax.”
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother