Today we remember Betty Boothroyd, who died in February 2023. This is the last in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. In 1992, defying 700 years of parliamentary tradition, Betty Boothroyd (1829-2023) became the first—and … Continue reading Betty Boothroyd
The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Alice Mahon (1937-2022) and Rachel Squire (1954-2006) were elected as Labour MPs in the 1987 and 1992 general elections respectively. Mahon secured the marginal seat of … Continue reading Alice Mahon and Rachel Squire
The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Tessa Jowell (1947-2018) served as Labour Member of Parliament for Dulwich—later Dulwich and West Norwood—from 1992 until 2015. Born to Kenneth and Rosemary Palmer, a chest … Continue reading Tessa Jowell
The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Dame Cheryl Gillan (1952-2021), who was born in Llandaff, Cardiff, is the only woman to have been Secretary of State for Wales. Before Gillan, … Continue reading Cheryl Gillan
The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. In 1987, following disappointing election results, a merger was negotiated between the Social Democrat and Liberal parties, which took effect in 1988. At the … Continue reading Ray Michie and Diana Maddock
The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Teresa Gorman (1931-2015) and Judith Chaplin (1939-1993) were both prominent Conservative MPs who actively campaigned for women’s equality and representation in Parliament. Both received … Continue reading Teresa Gorman and Judith Chaplin
The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Dr Marjorie “Mo” Mowlam (1949-2005)—“our one and only Mo”, according to then Prime Minister Tony Blair—received a standing ovation at the 1998 Labour party … Continue reading Mo Mowlam
The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Mildred Gordon (1923-2016) and Maria Fyfe (1938-2020) were elected as Labour MPs in 1987 and campaigned for greater representation for women. On the left of the … Continue reading Mildred Gordon and Maria Fyfe
The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. In 1987, Margaret Thatcher secured a historic third election victory. A total of 376 Conservative MPs were elected, a tally that has yet to … Continue reading Women MPs 1987-1996
The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Sheila Wright (1925-2011) and Helen McElhone (1933-2013) both served as Labour MPs in the 1979-1983 Parliament before losing their seats as a result of boundary changes. … Continue reading Sheila Wright and Helen McElhone
UK Vote 100: Looking forward to the centenary of Equal Franchise in 2028 in the UK Parliament 