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. 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
Guest post by Helen Langley One of the many highlights of the ‘Voice and Vote’ exhibition was the recreation of the Ladies Gallery (also known as “The Cage”) and the view down into the House of Commons chamber. After the … Continue reading Honor Balfour, Westminster and a Woman’s voice
By Oonagh Gay and Isobel White. Follows Norah Runge MP: An exceptional woman and Norah Runge: Becoming an MP, 1931-1932 Throughout a period of rising political tensions both at home and abroad, Norah is present at key debates in the Commons and … Continue reading Norah Runge: Rotherhithe, national politics and family crises, 1933 -1935
By Oonagh Gay and Isobel White. Follows Norah Runge MP: An exceptional woman Norah Runge became the Conservative MP for Rotherhithe rather unexpectedly in 1931 after the male candidate, Captain Husey, stood down. Norah kept a diary, not just of her … Continue reading Norah Runge: Becoming an MP, 1931-1932
Today is the birthday of Norah Runge (27 September 1884 – 6 June 1978), an unsung interwar woman MP. To mark the occasion we are delighted to publish this guest post by Vote 100 volunteers Oonagh Gay and Isobel White. Who … Continue reading Norah Runge MP: An exceptional woman
Guest post by Dr Julie V. Gottlieb (University of Sheffield) It is truly remarkable how so many organisations, institutions, media outlets and individuals have been coming together to mark the centenary of (partial) women’s suffrage. This promises to be a … Continue reading ‘Shy Women Tories’ in the History of Suffrage and Beyond
Guest post by Robin Fell In February 1918, The Pall Mall Gazette prominently displayed an item under the headline, LADIES AND THE LOBBY – OLD CONDITIONS TO BE RESTORED. This tells us that, ‘The Speaker announced that he had given instruction that in future ladies, accompanied by members, would be admitted to the Central Lobby, from which they were excluded owing to exceptional circumstances.’ Central Lobby is at the heart of Parliament, midway between the House of Commons and House of Lords: a meeting place for Parliamentarians, and a place for MPs to meet their constituents. So, when and how were … Continue reading Ladies Allowed! How women were banned from Central Lobby, and re-admitted 100 years ago
UK Vote 100: Looking forward to the centenary of Equal Franchise in 2028 in the UK Parliament 