Interview with Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton on Theresa May's legacy
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/9
Date:
2019-06-07 (creation)
Description:
Sones asks about May's legacy and the Withdrawal Agreement. Huq asked her about 'No Deal' Planning and how much Brexit has cost the public purse, May did not respond with a 'price-tag'. Huq argues that Brexit is costing the country 'everyday'. Sones and Huq discuss Labour's performance on Brexit and needing clarity on the customs union, single market and a people's vote on Theresa May's deal.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Wednesday: anger outside Westminster
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/5
Date:
2019-05-15 (creation)
Description:
Sones interviews three individuals - Nicola Kingaby, Gareth Clayfield and Ruth Friar about protesting for Remain whilst Theresa May conducted PMQs. All three discuss their reasons for attending the protests. Sones interviews some 'Leave' protestors outside Parliament, one outlines her reasons for protesting - despite having voting Labour and Green previously. Another contributor is angry about the possibility of a Customs Union, she describes it as 'war'.
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













#IWD2019 Rachel Reeves MP "Women of Westminster - The MPs who Changed Politics"
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/68/4
Date:
2019-03-07 (creation)
Description:
In an interview with Jackie Ashley, Reeves spoke about writing her first book 'Alice in Westminster - the life of Alice Bacon', who won her Leeds North East seat, the first woman to do so, in the 1945 General Election. Reeves is an economist and has served Leeds West since 2010, she was made Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions in 2013 but did not return to the role post-maternity leave. She tells Ashley that 'it is a bit of a club being in Westminster and women haven't always fitted in'. Reeves thinks that progress has been made - including having two-hundred-and-nine women in Westminster. Reeves still thinks progress needs to be made as Parliament is a long way from being 50:50. Reeves discusses the murder of Jo Cox, the targeting of black women and Jewish women like Diane Abbot and Luciana Berger. Reeves spoke about her favourite story of a female MP - Eleanor Rathbone an Independent MP who worked across the political spectrum who got the first family allowances paid directly to women.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother