Interview with Rachel Reeves MP and Seema Kennedy MP, entitled 'JoCoxLoneliness Campaign'
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/1
Date:
2017-11-15 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Harriet Harman MP #IWD2018
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/11
Date:
2018-03-06 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Fiona Onasanya MP - #SlingTheMesh PMQ
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/17
Date:
2018-03-21 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Female MPs #Vote100 Documentary Part Two
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/22
Date:
2018-04-09 (creation)
Description:
This recording selects soundbites from interviews Parliamentary Radio conducted with women MPs of all political parties about the issues they championed in 2018. In part two, we hear from Jo Swinson, Sharon Hodgson, Ruth George, Lucy Powell, Maria Miller, Tessa Jowell, Catherine McKinnell, Dame Caroline Spelman, Maggie Throup and Theresa May. This recording is a summary of the previous recordings with headlines from each female MP.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


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
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/29
Date:
2018-06-01 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with two women at Womens State Pension Rally representing shouldertoshoulder and onevoice
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/47
Date:
2018-10-10 (creation)
Description:
#ShoulderToShoulder hears from Timandra French and Leilah Leak from East Kent Waspi and #BackTo60 talk to Sones about their march to Westminister to protest pension age increases for 3.5 million women.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Women MPs Of The World Debate: A First for the House of Commons
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/53
Date:
2018-11-08 (creation)
Description:
Five women MPs who brought about change in their countries tell the stories of their parliaments. Over 100 women from over eighty countries and five continents took part in a special debate in the House of Commons Chamber - it was the first time women from around the world had sat and spoken in the UK Parliament. Sones heard from Linda Fairbrother.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother




Sones hears from Dame Vera Baird QC Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria and former Labour MP and Solicitor General
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/65
Date:
2019-01-22 (creation)
Description:
Baird welcomes the publication of the government's new Domestic Violence Bill said she would like to see it go further and for the government to ensure that funding streams to DV support services are restored. The Bill, launched by Prime Minister Theresa May who said that throughout her political career she had 'worked to bring an end to domestic abuse and support survivors'. This looks to introduce a ban on the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in the family courts, the introduction of domestic abuse protection orders, which will place restrictions on offenders, and the introduction for the first time of a definition of domestic abuse to include economic abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical violence. Baird ended by saying that if the government are serious about this Bill and they understand what it is costing day-to-day and properly fund and support services.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Maria Miller MP: reviewing how the UK's World First Modern Day Slavery Act can be improved
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/67
Date:
2019-02-04 (creation)
Description:
Maria Miller, Conservative MP for Basingstoke and Chair of the Equalities Select Committee is to undertake a review of a flagship piece of legislation that her government introduced - The Modern Day Slavery Act, which came into force in 2015. Women MPs across party working together, were instrumental in pointing to the growing numbers of trafficked women working in nail bars, domestic service, massage parlours and in prostitution itself. The economic and social costs of modern slavery are estimated to be in the region of 4.3 billion pounds a year. Miller told Sones that we should not have people who are subject to slavery and should not have people who their rights withheld.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Female MPs on #Vote100 - 'Women speaking up for Women'
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/8
Date:
2018-02-06 (creation)
Description:
Female MPs speak about their speeches and debates (6 February 2018), Sones hears from Dame Caroline Spelman MP, Theresa May MP, Vicky Ford MP and Helen Whately MP. Introduced by Dame Spelman live from the event. Theresa May introduces the evening before Vicky Ford speaks from central lobby about social media and using it for good causes and the importance of the Year of Engineering for women. Sones and Ford walk toward a glass display case in Central Lobby which has four acts of Parliament: allowing women to become MPs (1918); giving women the vote; the Life Peerages Act, giving women the right to sit in the House of Lords; amendments to the bill that brought together in the Representation of the People Act that gave women the right to vote (1918). Ford talks about Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May and being the first female MP in the Conservative Party east of the M11. Theresa May discusses women and working class men gaining the vote during her speech at the #Vote100 event, the unveiling of a statue of Millicent Fawcett in Parliament Square and one of Pankhurst in Manchester. Sones then talks to Helen Whately MP about speaking in the chamber about #Vote100 and thinking about what the suffragettes did 100 years ago and being sure not to take it for granted. Whately focuses on health and social care and establishing a funding settlement, as women do the bulk of caring across the UK. Whately goes onto discuss how women often do the lower paid jobs in society and especially in social care, and discusses how women do not reach the heights of men in many industries. Sones asks about the abuse of women and Whately talks about women being more nervous in a public facing role. Sones moves to College Green to talk to Angela Eagle MP at the Labour women's photo call. Eagle discusses how important the #Vote100 anniversary is and the Labour Party's focus on equality, Eagle talks about making sure stronger employment laws are enforced, such as tighter controls over the sacking of pregnant women. Sones asks about 'all women shortlists' and Eagle argues the importance of having official mechanisms. Sones moves on to talk to Seema Malhotra MP whilst looking at the acts in the Central Lobby which focus on women gaining the right to vote on the same terms as men, and talks about the impact of social media and the violence of the suffragettes. Sones interviews Fiona Onasanya MP in Central Lobby, who makes the point that there was a lot left to do after 1918, and it is the same now. Onasanya is looking to create a University for Women, a stronger focus on housing in Peterborough and social care. Onsanya talks about being a new MP and not suffering any abuse so far. Sones finally met with Sharon Hodgson MP on Free School Meals and her experience after the birth of her stillborn daughter, Lucy, who she was not allowed to register. Regarding Free School Meals, she was concerned about the income threshold for being allowed school lunches. Regarding registering stillborn children, Hodgson is working to change the law to enable earlier registrations.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Dr Lisa Cameron MP and Jo Swinson MP on #Vote100 whilst looking at the Suffragette displays in Parliament
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/9
Date:
2018-02-01 (creation)
Description:
Cameron and Swinson look at five important tributes to the suffragette women. They begin by the grill in Central Lobby, Cameron reads the plaque regarding women gaining the vote. Cameron discusses what the suffragettes did and the impact the movement still has on her, Cameron was the first SNP female MP in her constituency. Sones asks whether the SNP have enough women, Cameron says that they do not and that there is much more to do. Swinson discusses what the Liberal Democrats have been doing and the need for a coherent policy regarding maternity leave in politics. Sones walks them round to the Viscount Falkland statue and Swinson discusses the statue and the importance of continually fighting for equality. Sones walks into the broom cupboard where Emily Wilding Davison hid herself during the 1911 Census so she was able to record her address on the night as the House of Commons. She died after throwing herself under the King's Horse at the Derby. Sones, Cameron and Swinson discuss the time taken for Parliament to acknowledge what the suffragettes did.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Washington and Sunderland West and Shadow Public Health Minister on standing up for just causes
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/11
Date:
2019-06-27 (creation)
Description:
Sones begins by welcoming Hodgson and introducing her, Hodgson has been campaigning on access to medicines. Hodgson talks about the postcode medicine lottery and speaks about some medicines that are not available at the moment. Sones asks about previous scandals with a range of medicines including Vaginal Mesh and Education, Health and Care Plans. Sones moves the conversation onto the BBC License Fee because of the proposal to cancel the free License Fee for Over-75s, Hodgson wants the Government to act. Sones and Hodgson discuss the jobs lost from Nissan Factories being closed in relation to Brexit, speaking about Gordon Brown's scrappage scheme after the last economic downturn, she thinks that the Conservatives are acting too slowly. Sones asks about Jeremy Corbyn's position on Brexit and whether it is clear enough. Hodgson discusses how she manages a desire to remain with representing a leave constituency. The pair discuss anti-semitism and the actions that need to be taken.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Maria Caulfield MP: helping children with Autism get better care
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/10
Date:
2018-02-22 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


#Vote100 Readings by Elizabeth Crawford
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/2
Date:
2018-01-02 (creation)
Description:
Elizabeth Crawford was asked to read from her book, 'Enterprising Women: The Garrett's and their Circle'. Elizabeth discusses politics, education, the home and culture of the Garrett family. The book, tells the story of the Garrett family, who in the second half of the nineteenth century and the early years of the twentieth changed the position of women in Britain forever. They pioneered access to education at all levels and involved themselves in politics. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Emily Davies, Millicent Fawcett left few personal papers, and biographers have had to rely on a few family letters. Crawford looked to re-create these women's lives. Crawford discusses how these women molded themselves within society.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Catherine Smart the Cambridge Liberal Democrat Agent: Local Elections
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/24
Date:
2018-05-09 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Nicky Massey and Katie Thornburrow as they take up their council seats in Cambridge: Abbey and Trumpington Wards
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/28
Date:
2018-05-21 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Helen Goodman MP: supporting Labour's new Brexit Bill Reasoned Amendment
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/31
Date:
2018-06-06 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Sarah Wollaston MP: a new law on stalking and supporting Theresa May on her new Brexit Plan
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/37
Date:
2018-06-12 (creation)
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'.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


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?'
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/52
Date:
2018-11-05 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Carolyn Harris MP: Fixed Odd Betting Terminals the Chancellor climbs down
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/55
Date:
2018-11-17 (creation)
Description:
Carolyn Harris is Labour MP for Swansea East is the Chair for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals. She discusses the u-turn the Chancellor Phillip Hammond did on introducing changes to the rules governing FOBT lowering the maximum stake that can be waged to just two pounds sooner rather than later.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Personal Independence Payments: A Westminster Hall Debate with Sharon Hodgson MP and Ruth George MP
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/7
Date:
2018-01-31 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Speaking up for Fathers and why Westminster Hall is such a good debating Chamber
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/66
Date:
2019-01-30 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Emma Lewell-Buck MP on her Food Insecurity Bill - What gets measured gets mended
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/68/1
Date:
2019-02-27 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother