Showing 1 - 25 of 317 Records
Description of podcasts April to November 2019
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Reference Code : - SOBA 3/4
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Date : - 2019-11-18 (creation)
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Description : - Described as 'for 5th book'. Describes the material catalogued as SOBA 2.
Unused audio
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Reference Code : - SOBA 5/1/40
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Date : - 2015-4-4-2015-5-5 (creation)
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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).
Interview with Melanie Onn MP on rejuvenating our Parks
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/16
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Date : - 2018-03-21 (creation)
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Description : - Onn is talking about a recent debate on Parks to tackle childhood mental health issues and obesity. She is looking to ensure play equipment is available and built into new housing projects, Sones asks about whose responsibility it is, and Onn says that there is not enough to specify how to create fit-for-purpose play areas on new housing projects. Sones asks about the Jo Cox Loneliness Foundation and the use of green spaces for mental health, Onn says she will focus on keeping green spaces and parks safe.
Interview with Baroness Ruth Deech: Brexit and the House of Lords Amendments
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/34
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Date : - 2018-06-15 (creation)
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Description : - Baroness Deech supported Brexit, and tells Sones why she believes the House of Lords has every right to amend the legislation of the Commons and that the so called 'ping pong' process is good for democracy. During this week, the House of Commons considered fifteen Lord's Amendments to the Brexit Bill, and overturned them all, but this did inflict considerable damage to both the Conservative and Labour parties whose leaders, Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn were unable to get their front benches to vote with their party line. Deech described the vote, and the Scottish National Party walking out of PMQs as 'chaotic'. Deech states that her instinct is that if there were to be another referendum vote it would still be 52 to 48, believing that we would vote the same way again.
Interview with Seema Malhotra MP: the Brexit Select Meeting and the Brexit fudge
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/48
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Date : - 2018-10-10 (creation)
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Description : - Malhotra, MP for Feltham and Heston sits on the Brexit Select Committee and took time to tell Parliamentary Radio who the Committee had heard evidence from and what kind of 'fudge' she thinks the country will end up with. She tried to ask Theresa May, the Prime Minister a question in PMQs, Malhotra says that by 2020 the Institute for Government has estimated that 4 billion pounds will have been spent on Brexit. Malhotra did not think a Royal Commission on Brexit should be set up but that the government should be taking more notice of the evidence already presented by its own Select Committee.
Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement falls to a historic defeat in the House of Commons, interview with Justine Greening MP, Nicky Morgan MP and Stella Creasy and their solutions to the Brexit crisis
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/64
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Date : - 2019-01-15 (creation)
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Description : - On January 15th 2019, Theresa May's Withdrawal Bill was defeated by 230 votes. It was the biggest defeat for any government bill in modern political history. Sones spoke to Conservative MP Nicky Morgan who voted with her government and Justine Greening MP. Sones also hears from Labour MP Stella Creasy who voted against as did most of her Labour colleagues. Morgan wants a Common Market 2.0 while Greening supports a second referendum. Theresa May is expected to survive a no confidence vote.
209 Women Photo Exhibition in #Vote100 year of 207 women MPs
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/59
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Date : - 2018-12-14 (creation)
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Description : - MPs across party celebrated the 209 Women photo exhibition in Westminster, on December 14th 1918 women voted for the first time and in the same year, the first female MP was elected. Sones speaks to Joanna Cherry QC and the SNP MP for Edinburgh South West. Cherry is a fan of Georgina Markievicz who never took up her seat as an Irish nationalist and suffragist and whose portrait now hangs in Parliament for the first time. Cherry also helped to instigate the legal challenge to Brexit in the European Court of Justice which ruled that the UK can revoke Article 50.
Interview with Baroness Anne Jenkin, a co-founder of 'Women to Win' and on the abuse of MPs
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/19
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Date : - 2019-10-08 (creation)
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Description : - Sones speaks about Prime Minister Johnson's response to a Labour MP raising the abuse she has experienced as an MP by reply to her by saying 'it was humbug', Sones notes that even The Spectator was shocked by Alexander 'Boris' Johnson's rhetoric. Sones and Jenkin discuss the language and rhetoric used in the House of Commons in 2019, Jenkin does not believe the behaviour will improve before Brexit comes to an end. Sones speaks about words such as 'surrender' and 'betrayal' and asks Jenkin about whether the Party has become more 'blokeish'. Jenkin believes it is too early to tell, but less women are coming forward for selection. The pair discuss why there are less women coming forward and joining the Conservative Party.
Interview with Nicky Morgan MP, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport steps down but encourages other women to stand
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/24
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Date : - 2019-11-05 (creation)
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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.
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
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/23
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Date : - 2019-11-05 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Dame Caroline Spelman MP - Yezidi Women and ISIS survivors
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/20
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Date : - 2018-03-26 (creation)
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Description : - Spelman hosted an exhibition of art in Westminster Hall on 26 March portraying the work of artist Hannah Rose Thomas who drew gold leaf portraits of Yezidi women who had escaped ISIS captivity. Working with the Christian Charity, Open Doors, Thomas hoped that her exhibition would draw further attention to the plight of the Yezidi Women. The recording first hears from Thomas about some of the art and the individuals behind them. Sones asks about the exhibition, Spelman discusses how important a cause this is and her experience of the Yezidi Women who visited Parliament. Sones talks to Thomas once again and she explains her art and her time spent with the Yezidi Women. Sones moves onto talk to Rosie Winterton MP and Open Doors Head of Advocacy Zoe Smith. Both women talk the listener through the stories within the exhibition and displays. Both add that international solidarity is very important, especially during #Vote100. Sones speaks to Spelman again, who maintains that International Aid is given to appropriate groups and to ensure that the poorest get the assistance they need.
Interview with Maggie Throup MP for Erewash on her debate on junk food and children's health
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/4
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Date : - 2018-01-17 (creation)
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Description : - Throup is speaking in support of the government's moves to clamp down on the sugar content of foods but says advertisements for junk food should not be shown when children are likely to be watching. Throup discusses the obesity epidemic and the cost to society, their health and how important this this. Sones asks why it is Jamie Oliver leading the challenge to the obesity epidemic. Throup is also asked about modern slavery and Theresa May's role.
Interview with Baroness Ros Altmann on Theresa May's speech to the Conservative Party conference
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/45
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Date : - 2018-10-03 (creation)
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Description : - Altmann, a Conservative Peer and former Pensions Minister, gives her reaction to the Prime Minister, Theresa May's speech to Conference today. Theresa May ruled out a People's Vote and a Second Referendum saying it would be a 'politician's vote' and diminish 'faith in our democracy'. Altmann, a leading proponent of a People's Vote, says she will continue to campaign for one.
Interview with Jo Swinson MP and baby Gabriel: Proxy Voting
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/42
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Date : - 2018-09-13 (creation)
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Description : - Swinson made parliamentary history by taking her 11 week old son Gabriel into the Chamber of the House of Commons while she listened to the end of a debate on Proxy Voting. Swinson had spoken previously in the same debate before leaving to feed Gabriel. Swinson speaks about supporting proxy voting. Swinson had spoken passionately about the difficulties of getting young babies to 'latch' when breast feeding and revealed that she keeps expressed milk not alcohol in her office fridge. Swinson had to confront the controversy of Tory whips telling their MPs who had been 'paired' with others, to break that pairing arrangement in an important vote before the summer recess on Brexit which the government narrowly won.
Interview with Carolyn Harris MP: a new Private Members' Bill that helps 1950 women affected by the State Pension Age increase
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/44
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Date : - 2018-10-02 (creation)
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Description : - Harris, Labour MP for Swansea East brought in a new Private Members' Bill to alleviate the hardship caused to 1950s born women who have seen their pension ages increase. At least 2.6 million women are said to be affected by these staggered changes to the age at which they can now retire. The Pensions (Review of Women's Arrangements) Bill was supposed to be read for a second time on the floor of the House at the end of October 2018 but Harris asked for it to be rescheduled on one sitting Friday in November or December to ensure that it gets heard rather than dropped. Harris' Bill proposes three measures that would alleviate the hardship: these are transitional payments to be made until women qualify for the pension at the new age, an extension of tax credits where there is no other income, and all women to be given the maximum pension entitlement. Harris believes that this is the fastest route. She has come in for criticism from others, but pointed out that the All Party Parliamentary group on inequality and the State Pension Age is not associated with any other campaigns.
Interview with Emma Lewell-Buck, the Labour MP for South Shields
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/62
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Date : - 2019-01-09 (creation)
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Description : - The Charlie Cookson Foundation is run by parents Sarah and Chris Cookson, who lost a child, and helps to support children with life threatening conditions. [https://charliecookson.org.uk] Their child was found to have a heart condition and requires a transplant. On January 9th Lewell-Buck, Shadow Minister for Children and Families, asked Theresa May to help save their child. Theresa May declared that she would encourage people to make organ donations.
Interview with Danielle Rowley, Labour MP for Midlothian and Paul Sweeney, Labour MP for Glasgow North East and shadow Scotland Minister: Giving 16 Year Olds the Vote
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/1
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Date : - 2019-05-13 (creation)
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Description : - Sones speaks to Rowley and Sweeney after a Parliamentary debate on giving 16 year olds the vote, Rowley says that she was disappointed by the Conservative response when the debate had been positive. She goes onto the say that arguments against extending the voting franchise are very similar to the arguments made against giving women the vote. The Conservative minister used the phrase 'no taxation without representation' and argued that giving 16 year olds the vote, would mean you would have to tax them. Rowley disagrees with this line of argument because unemployed people are allowed to vote. Sweeney does not believe that the Conservative argument is illogical, by engaging young people, letting them vote and making it part of the school curriculum, they are much more likely to vote later in life. Sones mentions that in Scotland, 16 year olds are allowed to vote - Rowley thinks the success in Scotland is proof that it would be a positive step. Sweeney challenges the idea that the Conservative Party do not want votes for 16 year olds because of the fear that they will vote a certain way, by speaking about Ruth Davidson's (leader of the Scottish Conservative Party 2011 - 2019) support for the change. Both agree that this is about the rights young people have. Sones moves the conversation onto Theresa May offering to work with Jeremy Corbyn on the Brexit Agreement, both agree that May has done this too late on. Rowley discusses her experience at 17 coming to visit Parliament and her group being better behaved than the sitting MPs at the time.
Interview with Suella Braverman, Conservative MP for Fareham
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/12
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Date : - 2019-07-17 (creation)
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Description : - Sones asks about Proxy Voting and how it will help, Braverman thinks that it is a huge improvement to guarantee that Braverman's constituents are represented accordingly in Parliament. Braverman does not agree that those on maternity leave should get extra funds to operate as an MP and disagrees with Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House. Braverman brought up a local constituency issue during Prime Minister's Questions regarding a pedestrian crossing and parking near a local primary school. Sones moves onto ask about the Conservative Leadership Election, Braverman is backing Alexander 'Boris' Johnson. Braverman talks about Jeremy Hunt but is supporting Johnson because the country requires someone who acts and does not simply talk. She also supports Johnson because he has 'boldly committed to Brexit' in 2016 and his resignation over the Chequers proposals. Braverman thinks Johnson is the one to win an election and beat Jeremy Corbyn. Sones asks Braverman on the odds of a 'no-deal' Brexit under Johnson, she believes Johnson is bound to October 31st as 'Brexit Day'.
Interview with Lucy Allen, Conservative MP, on Brexit and Health
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/22
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Date : - 2019-10-24 (creation)
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Description : - Allen asked the Prime Minister about her local hospital in Telford and the possibility about closure, Allen wants the Prime Minister's pledge for the NHS to be more than words. Sones and Allen speak about Johnson's focus on the NHS and levelling up the NHS across the country, particularly in places like Telford. Allen thinks that without a General Election, Parliament will continue to delay Brexit. Sones asks about abuse that Allen has faced, Allen speaks about how 'nasty' the 2017 General Election was in Telford.
Interview with Maria Caulfield MP: helping children with Autism get better care
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/10
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Date : - 2018-02-22 (creation)
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Description : - Caulfield is a member of the APPG on Autism which published a report calling on government to ensure teachers, schools and local authority's statement children with autism earlier. Caulfield co-chaired an enquiry on autism in schools, asking for extra funding for local authorities to recognise those with autism. She is looking for Government to realise that this is a national problem and there is the need to ensure schools have the support they need. There needs to be a focus on what resources are needed and determining how many individuals have autism spectrum disorder. Caulfield raises the importance of backbench MPs and how influential they can be.
Interview with Catherine Smart the Cambridge Liberal Democrat Agent: Local Elections
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/24
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Date : - 2018-05-09 (creation)
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Description : - Smart is a former LD Councillor and as agent she had to take charge of election literature of others, the expenses of her election, which are tightly regulated, and was there at the Count in Guild Hall in Cambridge on May 4th. Smart talks about her role in the mid-term local elections, the Liberal Democrats had a surprise win taking control of the neighbouring council in South Cambridgeshire although in Cambridge itself, Labour kept control. Smart requested that Antoinette Jackson, the CEO of Cambridge City council conduct a recount in Trumpington Ward which was a knife edge win for Labour by four votes, but originally two votes had been put on the wrong pile. Smart discusses the election, voting and her role. Sones was in the Guild Hall during the vote, and asks Smart to explain how the ballot papers are counted. Smart says that there are three different aspects to council work: case work, including planning issues; campaigning; committee work. Smart was Councillor for Romsey, she lost her seat and Sones asks if it was because of the national swing in politics. Smart agreed and goes onto explain why she joined the Liberal Democrats, pinning it on Thatcherism. Smart and Sones discuss Brexit and Cambridge voting to Remain. Smart clarifies that the Liberal Democrats want a public vote on the deal that has been agreed. The pair move onto discuss #Vote100, and Sones asks about all-women shortlists. Smart notes the amount of women in local politics and the importance of them, especially in Cambridge.
#Vote100 Readings by Elizabeth Crawford
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/2
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Date : - 2018-01-02 (creation)
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Description : - Elizabeth Crawford was asked to read from her book, 'Enterprising Women: The Garrett's and their Circle'. Elizabeth discusses politics, education, the home and culture of the Garrett family. The book, tells the story of the Garrett family, who in the second half of the nineteenth century and the early years of the twentieth changed the position of women in Britain forever. They pioneered access to education at all levels and involved themselves in politics. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Emily Davies, Millicent Fawcett left few personal papers, and biographers have had to rely on a few family letters. Crawford looked to re-create these women's lives. Crawford discusses how these women molded themselves within society.
Interview with Helen Goodman MP: supporting Labour's new Brexit Bill Reasoned Amendment
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/31
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Date : - 2018-06-06 (creation)
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Description : - Goodman, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland talks about the announcement that Labour will be putting forward its own reasoned amendment on the Brexit Bill when all 15 Lords amendments will be debated in one day to ensure it does not have to support membership of the European Economic Area. This would have meant that the UK would remain part of the Single Market, but would also have to accept all of the four freedoms including the freedom of movement of people. Goodman represents a constituency that voted to leave the EU and as a member of the Shadow Cabinet she supports this new amendment and says she will be voting with Jeremy Corbyn. She also spoke up in favour of two other of those fifteen amendments, including membership of a customs union and the right for MPs to vote on the final agreement.
Interview with Nicky Massey and Katie Thornburrow as they take up their council seats in Cambridge: Abbey and Trumpington Wards
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/28
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Date : - 2018-05-21 (creation)
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Description : - Both were selected on all-women shortlists for Labour and both campaigned on local issues. Nicky led the fight to get 10,000 signatures on a petition to keep Sure Start Centres open in the face of national closures and campaigned on a host of issues including traffic flows and garden fences that had blown down. While Thornburrow, an architect, spoke up for environmental improvement: more cycle ways; more electric car charging points; the introduction of water fountains; and affordable food shops. Sones, Massey and Thornburrow discuss the voting for the local elections and local issues concerning Cambridge. Sones asks about Brexit, Massey and Thornburrow discuss the sadness of talking to EU Nationals in Cambridge.
Interview with Sarah Wollaston MP: a new law on stalking and supporting Theresa May on her new Brexit Plan
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/37
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Date : - 2018-06-12 (creation)
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Description : - Wollaston, MP for Totnes had a new Private Members Bill going through Parliament that would allow victims of stalking to get the police to take out stalking protection orders. She hoped the government would expedite the PMB just like it did with Wera Hobhouse MP's Upskirting Bill. On the new Chequers Brexit Plan, Wollaston states that she thinks Theresa May is doing a 'very good job'.