Press release
Reference Code:
SOBA 6/2
Date:
2008-06-30 (publication)
Description:
Press release for 'a viewing of photographic images of 104 of the 125 women MPs in Westminster ... at a private event at the National Portrait Gallery ... to mark 90 years since women were first given the vote.'. Contains quotes from various women who took part, the photoshoot on the steps at New Palace Yard, Westminster village, and party/constituency details of the 104 women photographed.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Booklet
Reference Code:
SOBA 6/1
Date:
2008 (creation)
Description:
The published “The day the Carlton Club accepted women” – 90 years after women first got the vote' / Women MPs in Westminster photocall booklet (in physcial and PDF form), along with individual versions of the photographs used within. There are two PDF versions of the booklet, with only minor differences.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother



Parliamentary Press Lobby journalists
Reference Code:
SOBA 5/2/20
Date:
2015-4-30 (creation)
Description:
Includes interviews with Elizabeth Rigby, Chair of the Parliamentary Press Lobby and Deputy Political Editor of the Financial Times, and Patrick Wintour, Political Editor of the Guardian.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


International Women's Day 2019
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/68/3
Date:
2019-03-07 (creation)
Description:
Guest interviewer, Jackie Ashely, picks up some 'scoops' on #IWD2019 in the latest of podcasts from Parliament. Heidi Allen MP and Ann Coffey MP on why women voters should be attracted to their new Independent Group. Crossing the floor of the House has always been a difficult thing for an MP to do, and they have received much criticism for doing so. A new political group was created when eight Labour MPs and three Conservative MPs crossed the floor of the House to sit together. They all support Remain in the Brexit debates and are in favour of a Second Referendum or People's Vote. Seven out of eleven are women, Jackie Ashley was keen to talk to them about finding a 'nicer way' of doing politics. Neither Allen nor Coffey said they would be standing down to re-fight their respective seats but that they did want to stand again for the same constituencies. Allen states that she had two-thousand-five-hundred positive emails and only forty-one negative ones. Allen says that government changes to welfare and Universal Credit was a factor for her leaving the Conservatives. Both ended by saying that they had no idea what rosette they would be wearing at the next election.
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 Carolyn Harris MP: Fixed Odd Betting Terminals the Chancellor climbs down
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/55
Date:
2018-11-17 (creation)
Description:
Carolyn Harris is Labour MP for Swansea East is the Chair for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals. She discusses the u-turn the Chancellor Phillip Hammond did on introducing changes to the rules governing FOBT lowering the maximum stake that can be waged to just two pounds sooner rather than later.
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




@Vote100 Voice and Vote Exhibition, Westminster Hall: Women's Place in Parliament
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/35
Date:
2018-06-27 (creation)
Description:
Interview with Maria Miller MP, the Chair of the Equalities Select Committee provides her own tour of the new Voice and Vote exhibition. The exhibition takes visitors through the historic moments of women's suffrage and their struggle for the vote.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


#Vote100 Readings by Elizabeth Crawford
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/2
Date:
2018-01-02 (creation)
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.
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 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


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




Interview with Dr Lisa Cameron, SNP MP for East Kilbride and psychologist on Brexit, Lucy's Law and 'Dump the Scales'
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/3
Date:
2019-05-16 (creation)
Description:
Cameron sits on the Parliamentary Radio's Advisory Board. Sones asks about Theresa May not reaching out to the devolved assemblies about Brexit, but did invite Jeremy Corbyn to talk. Cameron does not believe that May considered the Scottish First Minister enough, nor that the Scottish people have had their voice heard since the Brexit Referendum. Cameron discusses the Scottish National Party's position on the Customs Union and Single Market. Cameron hopes that May's 'red lines' are moveable and that talks are meaningful. Cameron has been campaigning on animal welfare, cancer campaigns and the movement to get women to stop using scales to promote good body identity, Sones asks about these issues because Brexit has clouded debate in the past few years. Cameron acknowledges that there is life beyond Brexit and issues that are important to her constituencies. Cameron talks about 'puppy smuggling' being banned, and talks about the patient experience of young people with cancer, ensuring that mental wellbeing is prioritised. Sones asks about Scottish Nationalism and Independence, Cameron thinks that Brexit emphasises the need for another Independence Referendum because of the chaos in Westminster. Cameron sees a 'no-deal' Brexit as one that could result in an independent Scotland.
Collection:
Women’s Parliamentary Radio publications and podcasts, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother