Showing 1 - 100 of 103 Records
International Women's Day 2019
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/68/3
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Date : - 2019-03-07 (creation)
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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.
@Vote100 Voice and Vote Exhibition, Westminster Hall: Women's Place in Parliament
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/35
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Date : - 2018-06-27 (creation)
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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.
Vicky Ford, Conservative MP for Chelmsford and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group MP interviewed by Jackie Ashley on Theresa May's legacy for Women
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/8
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Date : - 2019-05-22 (creation)
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Description : - Ford thinks her impact has been 'massive' in getting more women to stand for Parliament. Ford talks about Theresa May's support in her constituency. Ashley asks about May's cabinet and the proportion of women and speaks about the chances provided to her.
Interview with Shadow Whip Thangam Debbonaire MP on Parliament's Brexit chaos
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/68/5
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Date : - 2019-03-14 (creation)
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Description : - Debbonaire is the Labour MP for Bristol West, a shadow whip for her party with a special interest in DEFRA, the Environmental Food and Rural Affairs. During this week, Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement had suffered another defeat - by one-hundred-and-forty-nine votes, and a day later, MPs ruled out a no-deal by a majority of forty-three. In all, thirteen government and cabinet ministers abstained on that vote to defy their own Prime Minister and whip while one minister resigned and voted for it. The pair also discuss the new Independent Group of break-away MPs, Philip Hammond's new money for Leave Towns and how she's campaigning for more education funding for schools. Debbonaire believes that Article 50 would have to be extended and that there should be another referendum.
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 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 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 Baroness Julie Smith and the Liberal Democrat Surge
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/7/1
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Date : - 2019-05-27 (creation)
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Description : - Smith talks to Women's Parliamentary Radio about the European Election Results which came the previous night. Smith is pleased with the results and thinks it was clear that those who would not usually vote Liberal Democrat did in this election on the basis of Brexit. Sones asks about the extent of the Liberal Democrat surge, Smith thinks that slogans such as 'bollocks to Brexit' and 'Stop Brexit' were ways of 'fighting fire with fire' against the Brexit Party. Whilst there was some Labour Candidates who were for Brexit, the party message was mixed according to Smith. Sones asks about Theresa May and the Conservative Leadership and the fact that 'Remain' parties got the most votes in the European election. Smith think there is a majority in 'remain' versus 'hard Brexit'.
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.
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.
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.
Female MPs #Vote100 Documentary Part One
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/21
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Date : - 2018-04-06 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Anushka Asthana, Joint Political Editor of the Guardian - Review of the Week
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/19
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Date : - 2018-03-21 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Clare King, Labour candidate for West Chesterton, Cambridge
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/25
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Date : - 2018-05-10 (creation)
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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.
Remembering Baroness Tessa Jowell MP
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/26
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Date : - 2015-05 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Rupa Huq Women and Brexit
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/41
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Date : - 2018-09-04 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Jessica Elgot, Political Correspondent, TheGuardian.Com Newspaper
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/61
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Date : - 2018-12-20 (creation)
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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.
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'
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/15
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Date : - 2019-09-12 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Helen Goodman, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland on a No-deal Brexit and Commons Procedures
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/14
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Date : - 2019-09-04 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Seema Malhotra, Labour MP for Feltham and Heston, on 'rare diseases'.
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/20
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Date : - 2019-10-08 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Advisor at CBR
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/26
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Date : - 2019-11-14 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Professor Catherine Barnard, what now for Brexit?
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/68/8
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Date : - 2019-03-25 (creation)
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Description : - Barnard, Professor of EU Law at the University of Cambridge and Senior Fellow of 'UK in a Changing Europe' looks at the options for Brexit with four days to go until the original Brexit deadline. Barnard examines why May's deal hit the rocks, why her triggering of Article 50 so soon after the Leave vote in June 2016 and her drawing up of her list of red lines, which meant the UK would not agree to the freedom of movement of people and remaining in a customs union, rooted May firmly in the Brexiteer European Research Group's camp. Barnard says that this has stopped her reaching out across party. Barnard also responds to criticism of the EU and how it conducted the Brexit negotiations. The two stage process the EU insisted on of first negotiating the divorce in the form of the Withdrawal Agreement and then the Political Agreement, has led to considerable confusion for those seeking to understand the process. Overall, Barnard believes the EU 27 have acted well toward the UK, but that May's cabinet, the Conservative Party and Parliament has been split on the issue and a series of Indicative Votes may not resolve this. Barnard is speaking after one million marched in London to demand a People's Vote and as five million had signed an online petition to revoke Article 50. A Sky News Poll had revealed that 90% of respondents thought Brexit was a 'national humiliation' and Barnard does not see this as a surprise. Barnard says 'it's a fool's game to predict any of these scenarios. The only thing that we can do unilaterally without having to depend on the EU's agreement is to revoke Article 50'. Barnard also believes the UK Civil Service has done an extraordinary job in immensely difficult circumstances of preparing for the UK to leave the EU with or without a deal. This was recorded as part of Barnard’s 2903cb podcast and is one of thirteen she has conducted with Sones.
Interview with Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton on Theresa May's legacy
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/9
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Date : - 2019-06-07 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Vicky Pryce, economist at CBR, on Philip Hammond's statement to the Commons and Brexit
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/14
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Date : - 2018-03-15 (creation)
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Description : - Pryce discusses Brexit and the economy, modest growth at the bottom of the G7 and G20. Hammond was optimistic in his speech about employment and the economy, Pryce questions how low paid these jobs are and supporting these with benefit payments. The fall in the pound and the Bank of England's expenditure to ensure that banks are lending has kept the economy going, but productivity has suffered. Sones asks about whether the country could have got to this point without austerity, Pryce argues that we need higher productivity and growth in many industries, the UK has undertaken the wrong 'type' of austerity. Sones asks about a World Trade Organisation/Hard Brexit, Pryce cites evidence that the UK would not be able to adequately trade especially as WTO Rules do not cover the service industry. Pryce is optimistic that Brexit will be a success and a 'soft' Brexit, despite losing 2% of GDP.
Interview with Jo Platt MP
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/30
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Date : - 2018-06-06 (creation)
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Description : - Platt asked the Prime Minister if she would help set up a national database of ADHD sufferers. Platt, the Labour and Co-operative MP for Leigh and the co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on ADHD asked Theresa May the Prime Minister if she would do more to help people with ADHD and set up a national database. Platt and Helen Whately MP launched the APPG for ADHD at the beginning of 2018 has been working with support groups to enable more research to be conducted about it and to ensure better integration of services. Platt talks to Sones about the Prime Ministers supportive response to it.
Interview with Seema Malhotra MP: The Brexit Select Committee
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/43
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Date : - 2018-09-13 (creation)
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Description : - Malhotra, Labour MP for Feltham and Heston is a member of the Brexit Select Committee. She speaks to Sones after PMQs where the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had questioned Theresa May MP the Prime Minister on the issue of Universal Credit. Sones asks Malhotra whether she thought PMQs was too noisy, the response May gave and if the Brexit Select Committee was being effective. Malhotra stated that PMQs was so noisy, she could not hear Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and calls for the Government to take this more seriously. They discuss the Chequers Brexit Deal and Malhotra believes it leaves too many unanswered questions.
Interview with Siobhain McDonagh MP: housing and the National Trust rent rises, proxy votes, Brexit and Antisemitism in the Labour Party
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/40
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Date : - 2018-07-24 (creation)
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Description : - McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden speaks about being concerned with the National Trust's plans to increase their tenants' rent to market levels, believing that this will impact those with disabilities. Sones asks about the proxy voting row over the breaking of Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson's pairing arrangement while she was on maternity leave, McDonagh calls it a 'breach of trust'. On Brexit, McDonagh believes in a Peoples' Vote when the deal is known.
Interview with Heidi Allen MP on 'fortune Phil's' Budget and Brexit
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/51
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Date : - 2018-10-30 (creation)
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Description : - Allen, the MP for South Cambridgeshire speaks to Parliamentary Radio after Chancellor Philip Hammond produced a budget giving extra money to public services, such as health, defence and pot holes. Allen sits on the Work and Pensions Select Committee and says that Hammond has not done enough to redress the balance of austerity. Allen represents a strong remain constituency where people are employed in agriculture, a high tech industry and academia. She supports a Norway type deal embracing both the single market and the customs union which would solve the problem of the Northern Irish border. Allen explained that she would continue to campaign to reform the introduction of Universal Credit.
209 Women Photo Exhibition in #Vote100 year of 207 women MPs
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/60
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Date : - 2018-12-14 (creation)
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Description : - Sones spoke to Yvette Cooper, Andrea Leadsom, Helen Whately, Kate Osamor, Lyn Brown and Marsha de Cordova about the Photo Exhibition
Interview with Maria Miller, Conservative MP for Basingstoke and Chair of the Equalities Select Committee as MPs are asked to plant a tree and cut carbon emissions
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/21
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Date : - 2019-10-24 (creation)
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Description : - Sones and Miller are looking onto an Extinction Rebellion protest to get Ministers to 'pick up a tree', Sones follows Miller as she tries to find her tree (based on her constituency location). Sones speaks to an Extinction Rebellion member. Miller plans on taking the tree back to Basingstoke to show how important trees are for a healthy environment. Miller discusses the protests and says that everything she sees is positive. The ER Member wants to raise awareness about the fact that the Government has not planted enough trees to redress the issues and they want to change the zero-emissions date to 2025. Miller thinks that whilst government legislation is important, it needs people to change how they act and live their lives.
Wednesday: anger outside Westminster
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/5
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Date : - 2019-05-15 (creation)
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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'.
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
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/46
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Date : - 2018-10-10 (creation)
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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.
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 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 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 Sarah Wollaston MP - Referendum
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/57/2
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Date : - 2018-11-28 (creation)
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 Baroness Susan Kramer: Brexit and Food Standards
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/68/2
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Date : - 2019-03-06 (creation)
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Description : - Baroness Kramer is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Treasury and the Economy and has expressed concerns about the standards of food production in the UK falling when the UK leaves the EU. The Soil Association published a report expressing its fears over chlorine washed chicken, hormones, antibiotics, food colourings, pesticides and animal welfare. A former DEFRA Minister, George Eustace has also written of his concerns over food standards. Kramer sets out what she thinks the important issues are on food standards and why her party are against a no-deal Brexit.
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 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 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 as part of Professor Catherine Barnard's @2903cb podcast with Boni Sones
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/7/2
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Date : - 2019-05-27 (creation)
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Description : - Sones begins by asking about the European Election, the 'Remain' Parties, the Brexit Party and UKIP. Barnard discusses Labour's 'constructive ambiguity' and for the Conservatives, the Prime Minister's turmoil and leadership contest. Barnard speaks about the process of a 'No-Deal Brexit' and the consequences of it. They discuss European and British leadership in the European Parliament and elections for various positions within Europe. Sones and Barnard discuss the World Trade Organisation and how the Brexiteers fail to understand the implications.
Interview with constituents after Heidi Allen, MP for South Cambridgeshire holds a public meeting - Do Voters like TIGs?
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/68/7
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Date : - 2019-03-16 (creation)
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Description : - Sones interviews David, Rebecca, Bruce, Vivienne and Emma as they attended a public meeting in Cambridge to hear from Allen discuss why she decided to leave the Conservatives to join the new Independent Group of MPs. Four support her and one is not sure about any of the political parties. Nearly 150 people attended the meeting, with the majority in favour of Allen's decision.
Harriet Harman Q and As for #IWD2018 after her speech
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/12
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Date : - 2018-03-06 (creation)
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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.
Interview with economist Vicky Pryce - 50 years on and still NO equal pay in #Vote100 year
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/15
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Date : - 2018-03-15 (creation)
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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.
Interview with The Liberal Democrat Peer Baroness Shirley Williams and former Labour foreign office minister Denis McShane
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/23
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Date : - 2018-04-23 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Jo Swinson MP on Artificial Intelligence and Ethics
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/3
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Date : - 2018-01-17 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Vicky Ford MP: #AskHerToStand, Proxy Voting, Brexit White Paper and on her Prime Minister Theresa May
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/39
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Date : - 2018-07-19 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Baroness Susan Kramer on Theresa May's Chequers Brexit Plan, free trade deals and food standards post-Brexit needing greater scrutiny
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/38
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Date : - 2018-07-12 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Lucy Allan MP: Child Sexual Exploitation - CSE
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/36
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Date : - 2018-06-27 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Gavin Shuker: Hate Crime
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/49
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Date : - 2018-10-17 (creation)
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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.
50:50 Parliament #AskHerToStand
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/56
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Date : - 2018-11-19 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Maria Miller MP, Lucy Powell MP and Baroness Tessa Jowell
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/6
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Date : - 2018-01-26 (creation)
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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.
Maria Miller, Conservative MP for Basingstoke and Chair of the influential Equalities Select Committee on Theresa May's legacy
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/10
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Date : - 2019-06-20 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton and a member of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, on prorogation
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/17
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Date : - 2019-09-24 (creation)
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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.
#IWD2018 interview with Alison McGovern MP as she talks about Harriet Harman MP and those all too male works of art in Westminster
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/13
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Date : - 2018-03-06 (creation)
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Description : - McGovern was just one year of age when Harman was elected to Parliament. McGovern talks about Harman's influence, all-women shortlists, having a nursery in the Houses of Parliament. Sones asks about how 'male' Parliament is, McGovern recognises that it will take time through the Committee.
Interview with Councillors Jerri Bird and Carla McQueen: Cambridge City Council Local Elections
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/27
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Date : - 2018-05-17 (creation)
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Description : - Bird is a Labour Cambridge City Councillor and helped McQueen win her seat in East Chesterton, McQueen was elected off an all-woman shortlist. Bird is former Mayor of Cambridge and as someone who is in a wheelchair has campaigned on disability issues alongside others. In 2019 she was Deputy Mayor of Cambridge. The interview took place when McQueen had popped over to Bird's house for a meeting on anti-social behaviour and dangerous driving when Sones spoke to both of them. Sones asks Bird about 'door-knocking', Bird says that while there are a few who do not like the experience, many people like talking to their local councillor. The pair discuss disability and Bird becoming Mayor of Cambridge as a disabled person. Sones talks to McQueen about the election night voting count and all-women shortlists. McQueen gives an account of her work in the face of being criticised for being on an all-women shortlist. Sones and Bird discuss special needs education and Bird's childhood, Bird sees it as a serious issue that needs tackling and that is not being tackled by the government. Sones asks both about what their meeting is about: dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour. McQueen talks about the importance of having a strong team around her, especially a team of women. Bird talks about the PIP process and living in Cambridge as a disabled person.
Interview with Vicky Ford MP on #Abortion in Northern Ireland
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/32
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Date : - 2018-06-06 (creation)
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Description : - Ford speaks about her speech in the recent debate on reforming the abortion laws in Northern Ireland and amending the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861 proposed by the Labour politician Stella Creasy. The debate was brought forward after a referendum in Southern Ireland [Ireland] where the vote was in support of abortion reform leaving Northern Ireland out of step with the rest of the UK. Ford talked to Sones before Supreme Court ruled whether or not the UK in contravention of the Human Rights Act on this.
Interview with Councillor Bridget Smith on the May 2018 Local Elections
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/33
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Date : - 2018-06-12 (creation)
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Description : - The May 2018 local elections resulted in normally safe Conservative parliamentary seat of South Cambridgeshire becoming a Liberal Democrat controlled council with a healthy majority winning 30 of the 45 seats. There were boundary changes and a reduction in the number of seats from 57, the Conservatives were reduced to just 11 when they previously had 35. Some put the dramatic change down to the 2016 Referendum and Brexit, and the vote to leave the EU, in which 60% of South Cambridgeshire voters wanted to Remain. However, there were other factors at play, such as no proper local plan, controversial housing developments, transportation, the lack of face-to-face debt advice, and the need for more affordable housing. In this interview, Bridget smith, the new leader of South Cambridgeshire spoke to Sones about the victory, the issues on which the Liberal Democrats campaigned, the impact of Brexit, and the vulnerability of the seat now in any future General Election and their use of the 'Minivan' application which allowed them to know which houses they needed to call upon in each ward. Smith discusses the 'waterfall of yellow votes', but notes that 'putting it down to Brexit is far too simplistic. Smith and Sones discuss the other issues affecting Cambridge, having four years of no plan, no five year housing land supply and out of control speculative land development. Smith states that people are really upset by the effects of austerity.
Interview with Catherine McKinnell MP: Carillion and apprenticeships and childcare vouchers
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/5
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Date : - 2018-01-17 (creation)
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Description : - McKinnell is the Labour MP for Newcastle North, her debate followed a petition that asked the government to think again before making the changes to phasing out vouchers which will cause hardship for some. McKinnell also asked Prime Minster Theresa May about what will happen to apprenticeships now that the construction company Carillion has gone bust. McKinnell is the co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships, McKinnell discusses tax free child care and formulating a fairer system and working against the government's decision to block new voucher applications, even though the vouchers scheme helps those worse off.
Interview with Maria Miller MP: Cox Report and Harassment in Parliament
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/50
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Date : - 2018-10-17 (creation)
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Description : - Miller, Conservative MP for Basingstoke chairs the Women and Equalities Select Committee and used a debate (16 October) to discuss the Dame Laura Cox report on harassment and bullying in Parliament to call for Speaker John Bercow to resign. Miller was disappointed with the number of MPs in the debate and that it was obvious Bercow should step down.
Interview with Anne Marie Trevelyan MP: why when you are an MP, Country has to be the first battle to fight
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/58
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Date : - 2018-12-11 (creation)
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Description : - 'Brexiteer' Anne Marie Trevelyan and Conservative MP for Berwick Upon Tweed represents a fishing constituency that voted to Leave the EU in the 2016 Referendum. Trevelyan resigned her junior ministerial position in the Department of Education. Trevelyan was disappointed with Theresa May's decision to delay the Brexit vote. Speaking about her decision to resign from the government she said that after reading the agreement she felt she had little choice and that as an MP your loyalty is to your Constituency.
UK Parliament Week: Why you need to persevere in politics
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/54
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Date : - 2018-11-14 (creation)
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Description : - Dame Caroline Spelman, the Conservative MP for Meriden and former Secretary of State for the Environment in David Cameron's 2010 government, hosted an event in Westminster to explore ways of encouraging more women to enter the Church.
Interview with Caroline Spelman MP and Jack Dromey MP - Preventing a no-deal Brexit
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/63
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Date : - 2019-01-09 (creation)
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Description : - Sones discusses attempts by MPs to ensure that the UK will not leave the European Union with a no-deal. Over 220 MPs signed a letter trying to guarantee this. The no-deal letter was started by neighbouring Midlands MPs from opposite sides of the party divide, Dame Caroline Spelman, Conservative MP for Meriden and Jack Dromey, Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington who both said jobs had already been lost in their constituencies. Dromey tells Sones that MPs have to remain focused to do everything to get a deal and ensure that the economy. Spelman supports Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement.
#IWD2019 Rachel Reeves MP "Women of Westminster - The MPs who Changed Politics"
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/68/4
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Date : - 2019-03-07 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Professor David Howarth, University of Cambridge and former MP on why Alexander 'Boris' Johnson 'should have already gone'
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/16
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Date : - 2019-09-17 (creation)
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Description : - Sones asks Howarth about the prorogation of Parliament and a ruling in Scotland. Howarth discusses the importance of the decisions and what prorogation means. Howarth goes onto to discuss the relationship between the House of Commons, The Prime Minister and The Queen. Howarth discusses the relationship between the Police, Courts and the Government and the potential impacts of the breaking down of the rule of Law.
Interview with Meg Hillier, Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. Hillier was knocked out in the first round of voting for the new Speaker of the House of Commons
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/25
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Date : - 2019-11-14 (creation)
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Description : - Hillier stood for Speaker of the House, Hillier expands on why and Sones is curious as to why many recommendations in reference to bullying in Parliament have not been implemented as of yet. Hillier thinks MPs need better Human Resources advice and trained office managers, many MPs rush into the role without any experience once they get into Parliament. Hillier says that when there is an issue with an MP, it is often the staff member who gets removed from their role. Hillier thinks that Parliament has been modernised under John Bercow's speakership but that there is a long way to go where bullying is concerned. Sones asks whether Parliament has done its job in recent years, she believes so as it kept the Executive in check, but that it was a difficult system to operate in. However, Hillier does believe that there have been many things that have not gone through Parliament as there is no majority either way.
Thursday: The Cambridge European Elections and Vox Pops
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/6
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Date : - 2019-05-27 (creation)
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Description : - The event is being recorded live from St Mary's Church for the Election Hustings - candidates include the Brexit Party (Edmund Fordham), Change UK (Neil Carmichael), Greens (Catherine Rowett), Labour (Alvin Shum), Conservatives (Tom McLeren), Liberal Democrats (Lucy Nethsingha) and UKIP (Stuart Agnew). Each candidate talks through why they should be the choice for Cambridge. Sones then speaks to some attendees after the event.
Interview with Gavin Shuker, Labour MP for Luton South on Brexit and Antisemitism in the Labour Party
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/13
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Date : - 2019-07-17 (creation)
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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.
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?'
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/2
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Date : - 2019-05-15 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Professor Catharine Barnard @2903cb on the Supreme Court
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/18
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Date : - 2019-09-26 (creation)
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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'.
Interview with Rachel Reeves MP and Seema Kennedy MP, entitled 'JoCoxLoneliness Campaign'
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/1
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Date : - 2017-11-15 (creation)
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Description : - The Jo Cox Loneliness Campaign was championed by Reeves and Kennedy in memory of the late Jo Cox MP who was murdered in June 2016 after being shot in her Batley and Spen constituency. Reeves and Kennedy co-chair the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission at time of recording and were hoping that the hashtag #happytochat would encourage others to show kindness as part of the @JoCoxLoneliness campaign. The interview: Reeves focuses on how loneliness can affect people's mental and physical health and the commission's upcoming manifesto. Both discuss Cox's upbringing and life, as well as her career as an MP. Sones, Kennedy and Reeves talk about the impact of loneliness whilst working as an MP, the importance of talking to people about motherhood and mental wellbeing. The link between loneliness and physical wellbeing is discussed and how MPs are working cross-party. Examples of local projects in various constituencies is discussed, the role and presence of male loneliness r.e. Army veterans. Sones asks about the impact of Cox's death, Reeves speaks about how proud they are to take forward Cox's work although it has not been easy.
Harriet Harman MP #IWD2018
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/11
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Date : - 2018-03-06 (creation)
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Description : - The Mother of the House Harriet Harman MP delivered her 2018 International Women's Day speech to a specially convened House of Commons Works of Art Committee Audience in Westminster. Harman is introduced by Alison McGovern MP. Harman begins by thanking McGovern and paying tribute to other female MPs, as well as Helen Pankhurst. Harman discusses the relationship between men and women as she was growing up as a woman. Harman talks about feeling out of place and seeing the ranks of men in grey suits on the green benches, feeling that she did not belong, especially in a maternity dress. She talks about receiving letters women angry at her abandoning her children and Harman worried about the impact she was having. Harman was told to understand the important parts of the political agenda - not domestic violence and women, but economics and foreign policy. Harman notes that there was a lot of support from men and women, she knew she had to stick with it and be persistent. Harman talks about creating protocol for having one woman on each shortlist for Labour candidates, there was uproar but only men got selected. Harman says that they then resorted to all women shortlists - recording is interrupted by a bell - Neil Kinnock was a strong supporter of this idea of having all women shortlists. Harman discusses a change in Conservative female MPs and a change in male MPs, the idea of a man supporting a woman's agenda was unthinkable when Harman joined the House. Women are now in the forefront although still outnumbered. Harman ends with a statement about fighting inequality, all discrimination and inequality is wrong and unfair.
Interview with Fiona Onasanya MP - #SlingTheMesh PMQ
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/17
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Date : - 2018-03-21 (creation)
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Description : - Onasanya speaks about her PMQ to Prime Minister Theresa May calling upon her to support and join the #SlingTheMesh campaign to prevent further Mesh implants which can damage women's health. Onasanya discusses how mesh implants are used and the dangers associated with them. Sones asks about spending cuts and Onasanya agrees that it is a huge issue in her constituency. Sones and Onasanya discuss migrant workers and the need ensure a smooth Brexit transition.
Female MPs #Vote100 Documentary Part Two
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/22
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Date : - 2018-04-09 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Jo Swinson MP on #Equal Power: Northern Ireland abortion reforms, women in the boardroom, women and rape, local election results and MPs and maternity and paternity leave
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/29
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Date : - 2018-06-01 (creation)
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Description : - Sones and Swinson discuss Northern Ireland and abortion reforms, Swinson cannot believe Northern Ireland is this far behind, especially in light of the Republic of Ireland voting to make abortion legal. The pair discuss devolution and how it impacts decisions of this kind, Swinson argues that this is a human rights issue and that devolution should not allow for human rights breaches. Sones asks about women in the boardroom and the recent government report. They discuss Swinson's book, 'Equal Power' and what advice Swinson has for women, focusing on looking at your strengths and recognising that we still live in a prejudice world. However, it is very important to listen to people and learn from those who have succeed. Swinson notes how important equality is for men and boys as improving the world as a whole. Sones asks about the recent local elections and the Liberal Democrats being the remain party. Swinson talks about how flexible being an MP whilst pregnant is, and paternal leave after birth or adoption.
Interview with two women at Womens State Pension Rally representing shouldertoshoulder and onevoice
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/47
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Date : - 2018-10-10 (creation)
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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.
Women MPs Of The World Debate: A First for the House of Commons
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/53
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Date : - 2018-11-08 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Helen Goodman - Amendable Vote
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/57/1
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Date : - 2018-11-28 (creation)
Interview with Sarah Wollaston MP - Stalking Protection Bill
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/57/3
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Date : - 2018-11-28 (creation)
Sones hears from Dame Vera Baird QC Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria and former Labour MP and Solicitor General
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/65
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Date : - 2019-01-22 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Maria Miller MP: reviewing how the UK's World First Modern Day Slavery Act can be improved
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/67
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Date : - 2019-02-04 (creation)
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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.
Female MPs on #Vote100 - 'Women speaking up for Women'
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/8
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Date : - 2018-02-06 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Dr Lisa Cameron MP and Jo Swinson MP on #Vote100 whilst looking at the Suffragette displays in Parliament
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/9
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Date : - 2018-02-01 (creation)
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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.
Interview with Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Washington and Sunderland West and Shadow Public Health Minister on standing up for just causes
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Reference Code : - SOBA 2/11
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Date : - 2019-06-27 (creation)
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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.
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.
#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 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.
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 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 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'.
Interview with Peter Clarke, Professor Emeritus of Modern British History at the University of Cambridge on 'Are the Conservatives entering their third historical political phase of self-destruction?'
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/52
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Date : - 2018-11-05 (creation)
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Description : - Clarke discusses Theresa May's leadership of the Conservative Party, the Brexit negotiations and the outcomes of her Chequers Deal. He looks back to the 19th Century Corn Law reforms which led to the resignation of the Prime Minister, Robert Peel and later the 20th Century tariff reforms under Arthur Balfour's Prime-ministership which ended disastrously for the party leading to a historic election defeat. Clarke believes that May dug herself into the subsequent difficulties she faced. Clarke believes that she 'needn't have done any of that', referring to triggering Article 50 and spelling out her 'red lines' in 2016. Clarke discusses how the UK arrived at the Brexit Referendum, referring to the United Kingdom Independence Party and how the Conservative Party became ideological, as they did before First World War when the issue of Tariff Reform. Clarke believed there could be both a People's Vote and a General Election and ended by warning that the Conservative Party have been most successful when they were the moderate party of pragmatism and they have left these sort of ideological contortions to the party opposite - be it Liberal or Labour.
Interview with Carolyn Harris MP: Fixed Odd Betting Terminals the Chancellor climbs down
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/55
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Date : - 2018-11-17 (creation)
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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.
Personal Independence Payments: A Westminster Hall Debate with Sharon Hodgson MP and Ruth George MP
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/7
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Date : - 2018-01-31 (creation)
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Description : - Hodgson and George discuss the impact of new rules introduced for Personal Independence Payment and the impact this will have on constituents. The same week, the government said it would review every person receiving PIP after the Department for Work and Pensions decided not to challenge a court ruling saying that PIP changes were unfair. Hodgson and George were shocked about the response from the Conservative Ministers when asked about PIP as they ignored the evidence put forward by MPs. They discuss how the claims assessment process is not made for claimants and the aggressive environment it has created. This recording ends with a comment from 'Disabled People Against Cuts', they criticise the Conservative Government's response to PIP changes and austerity.
Speaking up for Fathers and why Westminster Hall is such a good debating Chamber
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/66
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Date : - 2019-01-30 (creation)
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Description : - Tracey Crouch, Conservative MP for Chatham and Aylesford and former Sports, Civil Society and Loneliness minister led the Fathers debate. Several of her male colleagues chipped in to say how left out they felt and often lonely as various health procedures made them feel 'outsiders' in the birth of their own children. The health minister responded to these after PMQs. Crouch was the first Conservative Minister to take maternity leave and welcomed the introduction of Proxy Voting, allowing Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, who delayed giving birth to attend the Brexit-deal vote two weeks before. Crouch talks to Sones about her Fathers debate and other campaigns. Crouch and her other half took shared parenting and she says her partner found it intimidating to go into any toddler and baby group not least because it was mostly badged mother and baby groups, or that they were mostly women.
Interview with Emma Lewell-Buck MP on her Food Insecurity Bill - What gets measured gets mended
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Reference Code : - SOBA 1/68/1
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Date : - 2019-02-27 (creation)
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Description : - Lewell-Buck's bill looks to ensure that the Government knows how many people are going without food. There are record levels of in work poverty and childhood poverty. The Food Foundation and the UN have suggested that eight million households and four million children live in food poverty. Although Lewell-Buck's Bill will not become law, the government has said that it will be adopting its recommendations and collecting and publishing information. Lewell-Buck gave her response to the Department of Education's announcement that the government will introduce relationship education in primary schools and sex and relationship education in secondary schools from September 2020. Lewell-Buck proceeds to tell Sones why she believes the Labour MP Chris Williamson should be suspended from the Party over his comments on Antisemitism and why the party needs to take a tougher line. On the breakaway Independent Group, she admits feeling 'flat'. As a Remain MP in a Leave voting constituency and she does not support her leader, Jeremy Corbyn.