#IWD2018 interview with Alison McGovern MP as she talks about Harriet Harman MP and those all too male works of art in Westminster
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/13
Date:
2018-03-06 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


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


209 Women Photo Exhibition in #Vote100 year of 207 women MPs
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/60
Date:
2018-12-14 (creation)
Description:
Sones spoke to Yvette Cooper, Andrea Leadsom, Helen Whately, Kate Osamor, Lyn Brown and Marsha de Cordova about the Photo Exhibition
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


209 Women Photo Exhibition in #Vote100 year of 207 women MPs
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/59
Date:
2018-12-14 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


50:50 Parliament #AskHerToStand
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/56
Date:
2018-11-19 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


@Vote100 Voice and Vote Exhibition, Westminster Hall: Women's Place in Parliament
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/35
Date:
2018-06-27 (creation)
Description:
Interview with Maria Miller MP, the Chair of the Equalities Select Committee provides her own tour of the new Voice and Vote exhibition. The exhibition takes visitors through the historic moments of women's suffrage and their struggle for the vote.
Collection:
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 One
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/21
Date:
2018-04-06 (creation)
Description:
This recording selects soundbites from interviews Parliamentary Radio conducted with women MPs of all political parties about the issues they championed in 2018. We hear from Dame Caroline Spelman, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Harriet Harman, Melanie Onn, Fiona Onasanya, Alison McGovern, Maria Caulfield, Angela Eagle, Sharon Hodgson, Seema Malhotra, Theresa May, Vicky Ford, Helen Whately, Jo Swinson and Lisa Cameron. This recording is a summary of the previous recordings with headlines from each female MP.
Collection:
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


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


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


Harriet Harman Q and As for #IWD2018 after her speech
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/12
Date:
2018-03-06 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


International Women's Day 2019
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/68/3
Date:
2019-03-07 (creation)
Description:
Guest interviewer, Jackie Ashely, picks up some 'scoops' on #IWD2019 in the latest of podcasts from Parliament. Heidi Allen MP and Ann Coffey MP on why women voters should be attracted to their new Independent Group. Crossing the floor of the House has always been a difficult thing for an MP to do, and they have received much criticism for doing so. A new political group was created when eight Labour MPs and three Conservative MPs crossed the floor of the House to sit together. They all support Remain in the Brexit debates and are in favour of a Second Referendum or People's Vote. Seven out of eleven are women, Jackie Ashley was keen to talk to them about finding a 'nicer way' of doing politics. Neither Allen nor Coffey said they would be standing down to re-fight their respective seats but that they did want to stand again for the same constituencies. Allen states that she had two-thousand-five-hundred positive emails and only forty-one negative ones. Allen says that government changes to welfare and Universal Credit was a factor for her leaving the Conservatives. Both ended by saying that they had no idea what rosette they would be wearing at the next election.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview as part of Professor Catherine Barnard's @2903cb podcast with Boni Sones
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/7/2
Date:
2019-05-27 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Anne Marie Trevelyan MP: why when you are an MP, Country has to be the first battle to fight
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/58
Date:
2018-12-11 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


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?'
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/2
Date:
2019-05-15 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Anushka Asthana, Joint Political Editor of the Guardian - Review of the Week
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/19
Date:
2018-03-21 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Baroness Anne Jenkin, a co-founder of 'Women to Win' and on the abuse of MPs
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/19
Date:
2019-10-08 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Baroness Julie Smith and the Liberal Democrat Surge
Reference Code:
SOBA 2/7/1
Date:
2019-05-27 (creation)
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'.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Baroness Ros Altmann on Theresa May's speech to the Conservative Party conference
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/45
Date:
2018-10-03 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Baroness Ruth Deech: Brexit and the House of Lords Amendments
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/34
Date:
2018-06-15 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Baroness Susan Kramer on Theresa May's Chequers Brexit Plan, free trade deals and food standards post-Brexit needing greater scrutiny
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/38
Date:
2018-07-12 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Baroness Susan Kramer: Brexit and Food Standards
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/68/2
Date:
2019-03-06 (creation)
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.
Collection:
Audio podcasts for Women’s Parliamentary Radio, conducted by Boni Sones with contributions by Jackie Ashley, Deborah McGurran and Linda Fairbrother


Interview with Caroline Spelman MP and Jack Dromey MP - Preventing a no-deal Brexit
Reference Code:
SOBA 1/63
Date:
2019-01-09 (creation)
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.
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