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


Harriet Harman Q and As for #IWD2018 after her speech
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/12
Date:
2018-03-06 (creation)
Description:
Harriet Harman MP gives her view on getting more women and black, asian, minority ethnic MPs into Westminster and the barriers they face. She comments: 'what are we training them for, to become Winston Churchill in the Darkest Hour!". Harman says that this is not about doing different groups of people 'a favour', Parliament has to be representative, it is a necessity. Harman notes that when she came into Parliament it was like it was during the 'Darkest Hour' film. It is not Harman's position to train new MPs, she says, they need and will find their own path.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with economist Vicky Pryce - 50 years on and still NO equal pay in #Vote100 year
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/15
Date:
2018-03-15 (creation)
Description:
Pryce begins explaining why she thinks women do not get paid equally; stating that it is either because of the culture of organisations or because they have children. She states that women in their 20s earn more than men in many professions, but into their 30s, they do not. Often, organisations are not prepared to allow anyone to work flexibly. Many organisations lose women too early for them to end up in senior positions. Sones asks about the attitude of women in corporate situations, Pryce agrees it to be an issue in how women are educated but that the evidence does not suggest this. Women do better at University and earn more in their 20s, there must be wrong with the way private sector organisations are managing this as they think too short-term. Pryce argues that we need to ensure women are treated in the same way as men and quotas for senior positions in an array of sectors.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with The Liberal Democrat Peer Baroness Shirley Williams and former Labour foreign office minister Denis McShane
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/23
Date:
2018-04-23 (creation)
Description:
Williams and McShane speak to Parliamentary Radio about the @TutuFoundation #PeaceSummit2018 @RegentsUni in London. Sones and Williams are talking from the Desmond Tutu Peace Summit 2018, Sones asks about nationalism and Brexit. Williams agrees that we're going through a period of nationalism, but that the hope is the creation a global system of law. Williams and Sones discuss the importance of Brexit and the willingness to say that the process is not working. McShane is asked about mediating conflict with discussion, he talks about England's approach to treaties and solving conflict through discussion. McShane was said to have created the term 'Brexit', Sones asks about the conflict associated with it and McShane questions what 'negotiations' mean in this context in reference laws and regulations. McShane argues that the Government and Jeremy Corbyn have failed to mediate with the British public. Sones asks about 'Remainers' and McShane responds arguing that they are not true positions to hold and is sad that younger generations will not have the same rights as him to travel and live, just because Rupert Murdoch and Nigel Farage wanted it.
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 Artificial Intelligence and Ethics
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/3
Date:
2018-01-17 (creation)
Description:
Jo Swinson MP for East Dunbartonshire and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats discusses her debate in Westminster Hall today on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Ethics. Swinson warns about the ethical considerations with AI. Swinson and Sones talk through the concerns regarding medical operations and how we help people re-skill and re-train. Indeed Swinson discusses the biases and discrimination within systems in courts and recruitment and government challenging practice. Sones and Swinson discuss sex robots and stereotypes around women and working with Matt Hancock 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 Vicky Ford MP: #AskHerToStand, Proxy Voting, Brexit White Paper and on her Prime Minister Theresa May
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/39
Date:
2018-07-19 (creation)
Description:
Ford, Conservative MP for Chelmsford, chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in the House of Commons, this week with others she laid a wreath at the statue of Emmeline Pankhurst to commemorate Pankhurst's birthday. Ford had been attending Pankhurst parties and she is part of a movement which is encouraging women from all parties to come forward and stand for parliament with the campaign group #AskHerToStand. Sones asks about the week's events in Westminster as the government got its amendments to the Brexit White Paper through when four Labour MPs voted with it.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Lucy Allan MP: Child Sexual Exploitation - CSE
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/36
Date:
2018-06-27 (creation)
Description:
Allen, MP for Telford talks about Child Sexual Exploitation, upskirting, the expansion of Heathrow Airport and why she strongly supports Brexit two years on from the vote to leave. On CSE, Allan talks about working with the Sikh community in Telford who help feed the homeless and how they feel discriminated against as a 'Muslim Gang' as people group those of Asian origin. When discussing Heathrow and Brexit, Allen voted in favour of a new runway and this is especially the case when looking to expand our horizons post-Brexit.
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 Susan Kramer on Theresa May's Chequers Brexit Plan, free trade deals and food standards post-Brexit needing greater scrutiny
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/38
Date:
2018-07-12 (creation)
Description:
Kramer is the Liberal Democrat Treasury and Economics spokesperson and believes the Chequers Brexit Plan left much to be desired. Kramer warns that any future free trade deal with countries like America could mean UK consumers eating less healthy foods and lowering standards. She was stunned by the Chequers Agreement and agrees with President Donald Trump, that the UK is in chaos.
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: Hate Crime
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/49
Date:
2018-10-17 (creation)
Description:
Shuker, MP for Luton South is a member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee which had heard evidence from the traveller community on hate crime. The Committee had been looking at hate crime including associated with race, disability and women. Some, such as Labour MP Stella Creasy called for misogyny to be made a hate crime. Shuker tells Parliamentary Radio why he thinks social media must reform to take down users, on sites like Twitter and Facebook. He believes that there is a responsibility on social media companies and big tech firms. Shuker explains that the 2010 Equality Act only went so far and that if new 'smart' legislation were introduced it would need European and US co-operation.
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, Lucy Powell MP and Baroness Tessa Jowell
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/6
Date:
2018-01-26 (creation)
Description:
During the week of 26 January; sexism, charity dinners and criminal justice reform was the topic of conversation in politics. Miller and Sones discuss the business environment and sexual harassment related to the Presidents Club Charity Dinner. This came after the Financial Time's exclusive report on the Dinner, the all male event employed women as hostesses and has led to complaints of sexual harassment. Miller calls for stronger legislation and looks to raise the issue with Prime Minister Theresa May and the criminal investigation. Powell discusses the 'Joint Enterprise' debate and the legal processes behind convicting young people who have a very minor role in a murder or other crime. Conservative MP's have discussed cases in their constituencies and Powell goes onto discuss her work and working cross-party. Baroness Jowell received a standing ovation for her ten minute speech calling for better treatment for brain cancer patients, she was shocked at the lack of action and attention paid to this issue. Toward the end of the recording, Baroness Jowell's full ten minute speech is recorded. Jowell discusses the NHS, patients and the care individuals receive utilising data for better treatments.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


50:50 Parliament #AskHerToStand
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/56
Date:
2018-11-19 (creation)
Description:
In November 2018, 200 MPs took 300 women to the UK Parliament as part of the 50:50 Parliament campaign to encourage more women to stand for and become MPs. Sones hears from supporters of the campaign: Amelia Womack, Deputy Leader of the Green Party; Daniel Zeichner, the Labour MP for Cambridge, Frances Scott of 50:50 Parliament; Jackie Ashley, a former president of Lucy Cavendish College and Professor Dame Carol Black, Principle of Newnham College. Womack emphasised that 'women need to be asked to stand several times'. Ashley says that things were 'getting easier' for women in Parliament now as there were more women. In 2018, 32% of the 650 MPs were women and it is estimated that it could take up to 200 years before there was a 50:50 gender based parliament.
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, 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:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Maria Miller, Conservative MP for Basingstoke and Chair of the influential Equalities Select Committee on Theresa May's legacy
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/10
Date:
2019-06-20 (creation)
Description:
Miller talks about maternity discrimination which has not been tackled since a review in 2016, Sones asks about the new Domestic Violence Bill. Miller is chairing the scrutinising process of this Bill, which aims to set out in law a definition of Domestic Violence to provide redress for sufferers and stop it in the first place. Miller believes May can be proud of this achievement.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother