The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Florence Horsbrugh (1889-1969) and Helen Shaw (1879-1964) were Scottish Conservative MPs elected in 1931. Prior to entering Parliament, both had received MBEs for their efforts during the First World War. In Parliament, however, their paths diverged, as Horsbrugh took up posts in Government while Shaw continued to be inspired by local issues. Florence Horsbrugh Horsbrugh achieved several notable firsts, including becoming the first Conservative MP for Dundee since the 1830s. She represented the constituency from 1931 to 1945 before becoming the MP for Manchester Moss Side … Continue reading Florence Horsbrugh and Helen Shaw

The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. By 1931, women had sat in the Commons for more than a decade but, as Edith Summerskill MP (1901-80) recalled in her autobiography, “Parliament, with its … Continue reading Women MPs, 1931-1945

The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Cynthia Mosley (1898-1933) and Lucy Noel-Buxton (1888-1960) were both Labour MPs, but their political positions were fluid and they were influenced, in different ways, by their … Continue reading Cynthia Mosley and Lucy Noel-Buxton

The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. The general election of 1929—the so-called “flapper” election–saw women over the age of 21 voting for the first time under the provisions of the Representation of … Continue reading Megan Lloyd George and Edith Picton-Turbervill

The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Ethel Bentham (1861-1931) and Marion Phillips (1881-1932) were the first medically qualified women to sit in the Commons. They were active throughout their lives in campaigns … Continue reading Ethel Bentham and Marion Phillips

The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Janet (“Jennie”) Lee (1904-88) and Mary Agnes (“Molly”) Hamilton (1882-1966) were both Labour MPs who were first elected in 1929. They were both associated with the … Continue reading Jennie Lee and Molly Hamilton

The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Ruth Dalton (1890-1966) and Leah Manning (1886-1977) were both Labour MPs and formidable campaigners. They got to know each other in the early 1920s in Cambridge, … Continue reading Ruth Dalton and Leah Manning

The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Liberal MPs Vera Terrington (1889-1973) and Hilda Runciman (1869-1956) both had family connections with the House of Commons. Terrington’s grandfather was a firefighter and watchman in … Continue reading Vera Terrington and Hilda Runciman

The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. Dorothy Jewson (1884-1964) and Susan Lawrence (1871-1947) became the first women Labour MPs, along with Margaret Bondfield, at the general election of 1923. Both women built … Continue reading Dorothy Jewson and Susan Lawrence

The next in our series on women MPs by the House of Commons Hansard Writing Team. In 1929, Margaret Bondfield (1873-1953) became the first woman to be appointed to the Cabinet. It was another 16 years before the second appointment—that of Ellen … Continue reading Margaret Bondfield and Ellen Wilkinson