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21. Marcia Williams: The Life and Times of Baroness Falkender

Author:
Linda McDougall
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
Over a decade before Margaret Thatcher swept to power in May 1979, another woman was running Britain from 10 Downing Street: Marcia Williams, private and political secretary to Harold Wilson. Having worked for Wilson since 1956, Williams became the Prime Minister’s trusted adviser and confidante forming, as the historian Ben Pimlott once described it, ‘the most famous and mysterious partnership in modern political history’. To mark the publication of Marcia Williams: The Life and Times of Baroness Falkender by ‪@BitebackPublishing‬, the ‪@mileendinstitute4300‬ and Tides of History welcomed her biographer, Linda McDougall, to ‪@QMUL‬‪@QMUL‬, where Marcia Field (as she then was) studied History from 1951 to 1954 and was Secretary of the Labour Society. Linda McDougall is a leading journalist, television producer and author of several books on women in politics. In addition to charting Williams’ rise through the Labour Party, Linda examined the assumptions and accusations that were a constant accompaniment to her political career and charted her influence on British politics and policy.
Topic:
Politics, Women, Domestic Politics, Labour Party, and Marcia Williams
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

22. Governing in Hard Times Conference: Final Reflections

Author:
Javier Sajuria, Eunice Goes, Ben Jackson, Karl Pike, and Carys Roberts
Publication Date:
06-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In this concluding session, a panel of academics and policymakers reflected on the day's proceedings. They tried to draw together the most urgent questions facing the centre-left and Keir Starmer's Labour Party as well as the historical parallels for a party seeking to return to government after such a lengthy spell in opposition. Chair: Dr Javier Sajuria (Reader in Comparative Politics at Queen Mary, University of London) Panel: Professor Eunice Goes (Professor of Politics at Richmond University) Professor Ben Jackson (Professor of Modern History at University College Oxford and Co-Editor of Political Quarterly) Dr Karl Pike (Deputy Director of the Mile End Institute) Carys Roberts (Executive Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research)
Topic:
Governance, Domestic Politics, Labour Party, and Center Left
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

23. Governing in Hard Times Conference: Public Services

Author:
Elizabeth Simon, Jonathan Slater, Clare McNeil, Andrew Harrop, and Adam O'Brien
Publication Date:
06-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
With increasing dysfunction in public services and education across England (and the United Kingdom as a whole), this panel considered how a new government might solve the staffing and employment crisis in schools, nurseries, hospitals, and care homes. The panel considered the future of Higher Education, the merits and demerits of greater decentralisation across England, as well as how a National Care Service could be established. Chair: Dr Elizabeth Simon (Postdoctoral Researcher in British Politics at the Mile End Institute) Panel: Jonathan Slater (Visiting Professor at the Mile End Institute and Former Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education) Clare McNeil (Associate Fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Researcher) Andrew Harrop (General Secretary of the Fabian Society) Andrew O'Brien (Director of Policy and Impact at Demos)
Topic:
Education, Governance, Employment, and Public Service
Political Geography:
United Kingdom, Europe, and England

24. Governing in Hard Times Conference: The Climate Emergency and the Green Transition

Author:
Karl Pike, James Meadway, Holly Rowden, and Ryan Jude
Publication Date:
06-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In light of the IPCC's recent warning that the 1.5 degree target for global warming will be breached by 2028, this panel explored how a centre-left government would tackle the ongoing Climate Emergency. The panellists considered how it might minimise the political and economic blowback to the disruptions of the Green Transition, recent changes to the Labour Party's Green Prosperity Pledge to spend £28bn a year on the transition, and the role that the private sector should - or be encouraged - to play. Chair: Dr Karl Pike (Deputy Director of the Mile End Institute) Panel: Dr James Meadway (Former Director of the Progressive Economy Forum) Holly Rowden (Policy Advisor at Green Alliance UK) Councillor Ryan Jude (Programme Director for the Green Finance Institute and Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Biodiversity at the City of Westminster Council)
Topic:
Climate Change, Government, Domestic Politics, and Green Transition
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

25. Governing in Hard Times Conference: The UK Economy

Author:
Colm Murphy, Seema Malhotra, Diane Coyle, and Jeevun Sandher
Publication Date:
06-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In the first of four thematic sessions on the urgent political and policy questions facing British politics ahead of the next general election, this panel considered how a centre-left government could maintain macroeconomic credibility, while also achieving its policy goals. It considered what institutional and political relationships it would have to renew - with trade unions, organised business, the City, and others - the appeal of 'Bidenomics' and how radical the next Chancellor of the Exchequer will be able to be. Chair: Dr Colm Murphy (Deputy Director of the Mile End Institute) Panel: Seema Malhotra MP (MP for Feltham and Heston and Shadow Minister for Business and Consumers) Professor Diane Coyle (Co-Director of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge) Dr Jeevun Sandher (Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate for Loughborough)
Topic:
Politics, Elections, Economy, and Macroeconomics
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

26. Governing in Hard Times Conference: Constraints and Strategy with Nick Thomas-Symonds MP

Author:
Lyndsey Jenkins, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Nick Pearce, and Alan Finlayson
Publication Date:
06-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In this introductory session, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP delivered a keynote address on the Labour Party's strategy for government and the lessons that Keir Starmer and the current Shadow Cabinet can learn from previous Labour governments. This was followed by responses from Professor Nick Pearce and Professor Alan Finlayson on the institutional and economic constraints that a future centre-left administration will face and how it might navigate its first difficult months in office. Chair: Dr Lyndsey Jenkins (Deputy Director of the Mile End Institute) Panel: Nick Thomas-Symonds MP (MP for Torfaen and Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade) Professor Nick Pearce (Director of the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath) Professor Alan Finlayson (Professor of Political and Social Theory at the University of East Anglia)
Topic:
Economics, Governance, Domestic Politics, Labour Party, and Center Left
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

27. Governing in Hard Times Conference: Standards in Public Life

Author:
Robert Saunders, Robin Brockwell, Chris Bryant, and Hannah White
Publication Date:
06-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
This panel, held on the day that the Privileges Committee published its Final Report on Boris Johnson and 'Partygate', asked what could be done to restore higher standards of propriety and accountability in public life. It asked how a new administration could ensure that the Seven 'Nolan' Principles are better enforced and the merits of greater statutory regulation. Chair: Dr Robert Saunders (Reader in Modern British History at Queen Mary, University of London) Panel: Lord Butler of Brockwell (Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service, 1988-1998) Sir Chris Bryant MP (MP for Rhondda and Chair of the Committee on Standards and Privileges) Dr Hannah White OBE (Director of the Institute for Government)
Topic:
Governance, Regulation, and Domestic Politics
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

28. The Conservative Party After Brexit with Professor Tim Bale

Author:
Tim Bale and Carolyn Quinn
Publication Date:
04-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
The Conservative Party can lay convincing claim to being the world's most successful political party, not least because it is also one of the most adaptable, often appearing to do and say pretty much whatever it takes to win. But has it now taken things too far? Since the UK voted to leave the EU back in 2016, the Tories have transformed themselves from a mainstream, centre-right party to one built upon a combination of radical right-wing populism, free-market fundamentalism, and fiscal constraint. Can the party survive in its current unstable form? Or will it be blown apart by its contradictions, its factions, and the competition between future leadership hopefuls? At this launch of his new book on 18 April 2023, 'The Conservative Party After Brexit', the Mile End Institute's very own Professor Tim Bale was in conversation with Carolyn Quinn (the former host of BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour). They discussed these questions, charted the fall-out from the bombshell Brexit referendum and the chaotic premierships of Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss.
Topic:
European Union, Brexit, Political Parties, Boris Johnson, Conservative Party, Theresa May, Rishi Sunak, and Nigel Farage
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

29. 100 more by 2030! How to create a more gender-balanced democracy

Author:
Frances Scott, Rainbow Murray, Kiran Mahil, and Emma Best
Publication Date:
03-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
While there are currently 225 women in the House of Commons, an all-time high, women continue to be underrepresented in Parliament, local government, and public life. To rectify this, ‪@Parliament-cc8sw‬ has set an ambitious target to have 100 more women in Parliament by 2030. On Thursday 23 March, as the UK's major political parties ramp up their efforts to select candidates for next year's general election, this discussion took stock of their efforts. Frances Scott (the founder and director of 50:50 Parliament), Professor Rainbow Murray (QMUL), Kiran Mahil (Labour Women's Network) and Emma Best (Conservative member of the London Assembly) reflected on the success of leading pressure groups and evaluated how much progress has been made in recent years to create a better, more gender-balanced democracy.
Topic:
Women, Inequality, Domestic Politics, Representation, and Gender
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

30. In Conversation with the Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy MP

Author:
David Lammy and Marie Le Conte
Publication Date:
03-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
On Thursday 9 March, the Mile End Institute welcomed the Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy MP, to ‪@QMUL‬. In a wide-ranging conversation with Marie Le Conte, David reflected on his early life, becoming the first black Briton to graduate from Harvard Law School and over two decades as the MP for Tottenham. He also took stock of the ongoing war in Ukraine, outlined his vision for the UK's foreign policy if the Labour Party win the next election, and reflected on being one of the few members of the Shadow Cabinet to have served in government before.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Government, Elections, Domestic Politics, and Labour Party
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

31. Breaking the Glass Chamber: Keynote Lecture by Prof Sarah Childs on New Labour's Women MPs

Author:
Sarah Childs
Publication Date:
01-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
2022 marks a series of historic anniversaries for women in British politics. Forty years since the election of Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House; thirty-five years since the election of the first Black woman MP, Diane Abbott; thirty years since the first woman, Betty Boothroyd, was elected Speaker of the House; and twenty-five years since the election of more than a hundred women MPs for the Labour Party. At its landmark Breaking the Glass Chamber conference from 15 to 17 September 2022, the Mile End Institute brought together historians, political scientists, and sociologists to explore what politics meant to and for women in the second half of the twentieth century. In this video, Professor Sarah Childs delivers a keynote lecture which brings together the key themes of the Breaking the Glass Chamber conference and reflects on whether there has been a 'feminization' of British politics since 1997. Sarah returns to some of her earliest work about how New Labour's women MPs experienced being in Parliament, whether they acted as role models for other women, and explores the complicated relationship between women's descriptive and substantive representation.
Topic:
Women, Domestic Politics, Representation, and Labour Party
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

32. Breaking the Glass Chamber: Women's Political Careers in Britain and Around the World

Author:
Lyndsey Jenkins, Minna Cowper-Coles, and Sofia Collignon
Publication Date:
01-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
2022 marks a series of historic anniversaries for women in British politics. Forty years since the election of Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House; thirty-five years since the election of the first Black woman MP, Diane Abbott; thirty years since the first woman, Betty Boothroyd, was elected Speaker of the House; and twenty-five years since the election of more than a hundred women MPs for the Labour Party. At its landmark Breaking the Glass Chamber conference from 15 to 17 September 2022, the Mile End Institute brought together historians, political scientists, and sociologists to explore what politics meant to and for women in the second half of the twentieth century. In this video, introduced by Dr Lyndsey Jenkins, Dr Sofia Collignon talks to Dr Minna Cowper-Coles about her comparative research on the motivations, challenges, and experiences of women political leaders around the world. Sofia highlights that women leaders are typically highly professionalised, highly skilled, and highly experienced, and notes that 63 per cent have a Masters degree or PhD.
Topic:
Elections, Women, Domestic Politics, and Representation
Political Geography:
United Kingdom, Europe, and Global Focus

33. Breaking the Glass Chamber: Mary Honeyball on the life and times of Edith Summerskill MP

Author:
Mary Honeyball
Publication Date:
01-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
2022 marks a series of historic anniversaries for women in British politics. Forty years since the election of Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House; thirty-five years since the election of the first Black woman MP, Diane Abbott; thirty years since the first woman, Betty Boothroyd, was elected Speaker of the House; and twenty-five years since the election of more than a hundred women MPs for the Labour Party. At its landmark Breaking the Glass Chamber conference from 15 to 17 September 2022, the Mile End Institute brought together historians, political scientists, and sociologists to explore what politics meant to and for women in the second half of the twentieth century. In this video, the former Labour MEP, Mary Honeyball, presents her new biography of Edith Summerskill, the 'Pioneering Feminist Labour MP', who served in Clement Attlee's government and oversaw the creation of the National Insurance Scheme. Mary discusses how Summerskill's campaigning was instrumental in promoting women's causes throughout her life and reflects on her achievements in securing equal rights for housewives and divorced women over property.
Topic:
Politics, History, Elections, Women, and Domestic Politics
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

34. Breaking the Glass Chamber: Keynote by Khursheed Wadia - 'Becoming Muslim women becoming political'

Author:
Khursheed Wadia
Publication Date:
01-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
2022 marks a series of historic anniversaries for women in British politics. Forty years since the election of Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House; thirty-five years since the election of the first Black woman MP, Diane Abbott; thirty years since the first woman, Betty Boothroyd, was elected Speaker of the House; and twenty-five years since the election of more than a hundred women MPs for the Labour Party. At its landmark Breaking the Glass Chamber conference from 15 to 17 September 2022, the Mile End Institute brought together historians, political scientists, and sociologists to explore what politics meant to and for women in the second half of the twentieth century. In this video, Professor Khursheed Wadia delivers a keynote lecture, entitled 'Becoming Muslim women becoming political'. Khursheed analyses women in the British Muslim community's political engagement through the postwar period and describes a 'hidden history' of Muslim women's activism on picket lines, in anti-poverty campaigns and in community networks. She argues that academics should pay more attention to community activism to fully capture the diversity of women's political engagement in the second half of the twentieth century.
Topic:
Elections, Women, Political Participation, Activism, and Muslims
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

35. Breaking the Glass Chamber: Reflections on Parliamentary Careers

Author:
Estelle Morris and Dawn Primarolo
Publication Date:
01-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
2022 marks a series of historic anniversaries for women in British politics. Forty years since the election of Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House; thirty-five years since the election of the first Black woman MP, Diane Abbott; thirty years since the first woman, Betty Boothroyd, was elected Speaker of the House; and twenty-five years since the election of more than a hundred women MPs for the Labour Party. At its landmark Breaking the Glass Chamber conference from 15 to 17 September 2022, the Mile End Institute brought together historians, political scientists, and sociologists to explore what politics meant to and for women in the second half of the twentieth century. In this session - chaired by Dr Ruth Davidson - Dame Margaret Hodge (MP for Barking and Dagenham, 1994-present), Baroness (Estelle) Morris (MP for Birmingham Yardley, 1992-2005), and Baroness (Dawn) Primarolo (MP for Bristol South, 1987-2015) reflect on their lengthy parliamentary careers and their time in government and offer some lessons for women entering Parliament and public life.
Topic:
Politics, Women, Representation, and Parliament
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

36. tarr Forum: An Update on Russia's War Against Ukraine

Publication Date:
10-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
MIT Center for International Studies
Abstract:
What is the status of Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
Topic:
Defense Policy, Military Strategy, Conflict, Strategic Interests, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:
Russia, Europe, and Ukraine

37. Starr Forum: Energy as a Weapon of War: Russia, Ukraine and Europe in Challenging Times

Publication Date:
12-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
MIT Center for International Studies
Abstract:
How has Russia weaponized energy in this war? What have been the effects? How have Europeans responded to this weaponization of energy and what may be their responses this winter?
Topic:
Defense Policy, Energy Policy, Military Strategy, European Union, Strategic Interests, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:
Russia, Europe, and Ukraine

38. European Islamophobia

Author:
Farid Hafez
Publication Date:
12-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR), Rutgers University School of Law
Abstract:
Islamophobia is on the rise at an alarming speed in Europe, a continent with tens of millions of Muslim citizens.
Topic:
Minorities, Discrimination, and Islamophobia
Political Geography:
Europe

39. Starr Forum: The Collapse of the Soviet Empire and the seeds of the new European war

Publication Date:
04-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
MIT Center for International Studies
Abstract:
Vladislav Zubok is professor of international history, with expertise on the Cold War, the Soviet Union, Stalinism, and Russia’s intellectual history in the 20th century. His most recent books are Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union (2021), The Idea of Russia: The Life and Work of Dmitry Likhachev (2017), Dmitry Likhachev. The Life and the Century (in Russian, 2016) A Failed Empire: the Soviet Union in the Cold War from Stalin to Gorbachev (2007) and Zhivago’s Children: the Last Russian Intelligentsia (2009). Co-chairs: Carol Saivetz is a senior advisor in the MIT Security Studies Program. She is the author and contributing co-editor of books and articles on Soviet and now Russian foreign policy issues. Elizabeth Wood is professor of history at MIT. She is the author most recently of Roots of Russia’s War in Ukraine. She is co-director of the MISTI MIT Russia Program, coordinator of Russian studies, and adviser to the Russian Language Program.
Topic:
Cold War, Governance, Leadership, Conflict, and Empire
Political Geography:
Russia, Europe, and Soviet Union

40. Starr Forum: Autocracy’s Assault on Press Freedom

Publication Date:
02-2022
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
MIT Center for International Studies
Abstract:
Experts discuss the threat to free media in Central and Eastern Europe and what it means for the West
Topic:
Media, Journalism, Freedom of Press, and Autocracy
Political Geography:
Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Europe