Category: House of Commons

House of Commons

A Rush on the House of Commons 13 October 1908

ukvote100

In September 1908 Emmeline Pankhurst together with Christabel Pankhurst and Flora Drummond decided the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) should organise a rush on the House of Commons.  The rush would be the first major protest of the new Parliament. They issued a leaflet encouraging members of the public to support the rush.  Printed on purple and green paper it read: In 8th October the leaflet came into the possession of the police and as a result they issued summonses to all three women for inciting the public to undertake an illegal act. On Sunday 11th October they held a large rally in … Continue reading A Rush on the House of Commons 13 October 1908

House of Commons

‘A fantastic coincidence’: My day as an extra on the film set of ‘Suffragette’

ukvote100

Today Suffragette is released to cinemas around the country, and we are celebrating with this second blog from one of the film’s rather special ‘extras’ Peter Barratt. Peter’s great-grandmother was WSPU member Alice Hawkins. Alice was an extraordinary working woman who made things happen. ‘A fantastic coincidence’: My day as an extra on the film set of Suffragette My great-grandmother Alice Hawkins was a working class suffragette of a 100 years ago who was first arrested outside the Houses of Parliament in 1907, on the day of the State opening of Parliament. A shoe machinist by trade, Alice formed the … Continue reading ‘A fantastic coincidence’: My day as an extra on the film set of ‘Suffragette’

House of Commons

Alice Cullen’s Election Victory of 1948

ukvote100

Alice Cullen MP was elected for the Glasgow Gorbals constituency on the 30 September 1948, she continued to represent it until her death in 1969. Cullen joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP) in 1916 she was an active member becoming secretary of the local ward committee and a Glasgow town councillor in 1938. In 1948 George Buchanan MP for Gorbals resigned to become Chairman of the National Assistance Board. Cullen competed against three men to secure her nomination as the Labour candidate for the resulting by election. Prime Minster Clement Attlee sent a message of good wishes to Cullen and … Continue reading Alice Cullen’s Election Victory of 1948

House of Commons3 Comments

Exclusive: ‘Suffragette’ film review

ukvote100

Mari Takayanagi, joint project manager and co-curator for Vote 100, saw an advance screening of ‘Suffragette’ and reviews it exclusively for UK Vote 100. ‘Suffragette’ is the story of Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan), a laundry worker in London’s East End, who gets sucked into the suffrage movement almost by accident and becomes one of its most militant campaigners. I found the story gripping, moving, sad and inspiring in turn. Maud’s work in the laundry is endless, grinding, exhausting and dangerous. Yet somehow none of this is as bad as the realisation, which gradually dawns on her and us throughout the … Continue reading Exclusive: ‘Suffragette’ film review

House of Commons

White gloves and hats: a woman Clerk in the House of Commons

ukvote100

Clerks are the senior staff in many of the different offices in the House of Commons and House of Lords which support the work of the chamber and committees. During the Second World War, three women were appointed temporary Clerks in the House of Commons, in order to release men for war service, however by 1945 they had all departed. There were no more female Clerks until Jacqy Beston (now Jacqy Sharpe) and Alda Milner-Barry were appointed in 1969.  Jacqy Sharpe retired in 2015 after a long and successful career in the Clerk’s department, and shares her memories below. *** … Continue reading White gloves and hats: a woman Clerk in the House of Commons