Well that was a very unedifying #PMQs yesterday. In Parliament or out, language and the way we speak to and about those with whom we disagree matter, especially if we are serious about changing the culture of politics and public discourse. @labourwomensnet.bsky.social @jocoxfoundation.bsky.social

In 1929 a middle-aged working-class woman became Britain's first female cabinet minister. Thanks to @ruthfox.bsky.social and Mark D'Arcy for inviting me onto the @hansardsociety.bsky.social podcast to talk about how Margaret Bondfield got there and why we have since almost forgotten her.

Episode one of #UnholyHistories is here! We were joined by historian Nan Sloane and Annie Laurie Gaylor (@ffrf.org) to explore the women who challenged the church, defied biblical expectations of subservience, and fought for reason and equality at great personal cost.

Remember the dead, fight for the living. #IWMD

Really looking forward to it too!

Thank you Hungary. A little hope was long overdue.

Join @nansloane.bsky.social at the Lake District Book Festival to learn more about her book on Britain's first female cabinet minister, Margaret Bondfield. 📆 Sat 13 June 2026, 12-1PM 📍 Cartmel Racecourse, The Humphrey Head Tent, LA11 6QF 🎟️ bit.ly/4t0t9fS

Solidarity with @stellacreasy. Online (or offline) hatred and abuse of MPs, councillors and other public representatives weakens our democracy and diminishes us all. @jocoxfoundation.bsky.social @labourwomensnet.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Well I never, who’d have thought it!

#OnThisDay, 11 Mar 2006 and 11 Mar 2014, Michelle Bachelet was sworn in as President of Chile. She was the first woman to hold the role, and the first to be re-elected to it.

She wasn’t a suffragette. She came through the trade unions. And history didn’t quite know what to do with her. Margaret Bondfield was Britain’s 1st female cabinet minister, so why is she barely remembered? Her biographer @nansloane.bsky.social joins us to explain. Listen now: buff.ly/RYXZLuB

Thank you, @hansardsociety.bsky.social, for having me on the podcast to talk about Margaret Bondfield and my new book about her (published by @bloomsburyacademic.bsky.social, out now, print and audio, all good outlets etc).

Out today, my new book about Margaret Bondfield, all-round ground-breaker and political pioneer is published by @bloomsburyacademic.bsky.social and is available in both book and audio form. I am, obviously, very pleased about it!

Very much this!

Good luck to @UKLabour candidates today, and especially to @LabourWomensNet members and graduates across the country. And also to Labour staffers who work very hard and are often unappreciated. Good luck and thank you all! 🌹

Following a brilliant history evening last night with our very own @nansloane.bsky.social and Kiran Mahil discussing Trade Union women who changed the world. The message was clear ⬇️

🔊We’re hiring! We’re looking for a permanent Director to lead LWN into the next phase. If you're a Labour feminist with great management skills, strong political judgement and a flair for relationship-building, this may be the job for you (or a great Labour woman you know)! 👇 www.lwn.org.uk/director

Great to see LWN graduate @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social championing the work and voices of women Mayors on @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/01/devo...

Really enjoyed this day, great women and some excellent discussions!

Casually calling for an MP to be killed (female one too, as it often is). In Oxford yesterday. Absolutely in the bin with this Funny how people call for wealth taxes until you actually try to do one www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2484830...

She's not wrong!

Am pleased to say that I have contributed a chapter to this work of political geekery.

Not a fan of the House of Lords, but very pleased to see that more than half of Labour’s new peers are women. #persist

We are deeply saddened to hear the news that John Prescott has died. John was a staunch defender of local government & a passionate supporter of devolution. He was a great campaigner who will be missed by so many in our Party. Our thoughts are with Pauline, Jonathan & David.

So many talking heads and so few with anything useful to say.

Well hello #BlueSky how is it going? It certainly looks a little calmer over here ...