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| Women's suffrage centenary: Theresa May to speak in Manchester – live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A collection of rare suffragette posters are being displayed to mark the anniversary of women winning the right to vote. The selection of posters, one of the largest surviving collections, were put on show to the public at Cambridge University Library. Here are a few of them. | |
| Amika George is an 18-year-old student from North London. She started the #FreePeriods campaign, which calls on the government to give free menstrual products to children from low-income families | |
| Today, I stand proud and strong as a woman. This week, I’ve shuddered as I read agonising accounts of the struggles, the violence and the pain that the suffragettes endured for a decade to allow women today the opportunity to stand equal with men in society. | |
| Last year, I started the #FreePeriods campaign because children are missing school in the UK because they can’t afford menstrual products. In many countries across the globe, the shame and stigma of menstruation forces girls to drop out of school altogether. | |
| It’s appalling that girls are being hindered in their academic progress and prevented from contributing fully to society because of a natural and perfectly normal biological process. Period poverty should not be an obstacle to learning, and should never be the reason that girls cannot achieve, excel and prosper in society. The government needs to take action. Today we celebrate what we can achieve when men and women together fight against injustice and inequality. A century on and there is still so much progress to be made. Our periods should not be the reason we are held back. | |
| An interesting article on the Guardian today from Fern Riddell about the suffragettes, highlighting the fact that the women’s movement was as fractured then as it is today. | |
| Theresa May has suggested that if she had been fighting for the right to vote 100 years ago she would have been a suffragist, rather than a more radical suffragette. | Theresa May has suggested that if she had been fighting for the right to vote 100 years ago she would have been a suffragist, rather than a more radical suffragette. |
| The suffragists, a group led by Millicent Fawcett, believed in peaceful campaigning. In this respect they were different to the militant direct action favoured by suffragettes headed by Emmeline Pankhurst. | The suffragists, a group led by Millicent Fawcett, believed in peaceful campaigning. In this respect they were different to the militant direct action favoured by suffragettes headed by Emmeline Pankhurst. |
| Quizzed by BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour about which side she would have taken if she had been involved a century ago, May said: “I was, in a sense, asked this question when I was asked about the statue and who I would support, and I did say Millicent Fawcett.” Asked if she was a natural suffragist, the PM said: “Both of these had a role. That’s the point. So, to me it’s not an either/or. “Actually, both of them played their part in making sure that women could take their full role in public life.” May also pointed to her connection with people involved in the struggle, saying: “My late godmother’s mother was a suffragette. Her father was a doctor to the Pankhursts.” The prime minister also discussed the recent controversy over how hostesses were allegedly treated at a men only Presidents Club City charity event. She said it showed some attitudes still needed to change. | Quizzed by BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour about which side she would have taken if she had been involved a century ago, May said: “I was, in a sense, asked this question when I was asked about the statue and who I would support, and I did say Millicent Fawcett.” Asked if she was a natural suffragist, the PM said: “Both of these had a role. That’s the point. So, to me it’s not an either/or. “Actually, both of them played their part in making sure that women could take their full role in public life.” May also pointed to her connection with people involved in the struggle, saying: “My late godmother’s mother was a suffragette. Her father was a doctor to the Pankhursts.” The prime minister also discussed the recent controversy over how hostesses were allegedly treated at a men only Presidents Club City charity event. She said it showed some attitudes still needed to change. |
| We’ve been asking you what important issues still face women today, with gender disparity at work and advocacy for all regardless of background being mentioned. | We’ve been asking you what important issues still face women today, with gender disparity at work and advocacy for all regardless of background being mentioned. |
| Emma Clancy from Dunstable is chief executive for the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. She said sexism is still a prevalent issue in the electrical and wider construction sectors. | Emma Clancy from Dunstable is chief executive for the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. She said sexism is still a prevalent issue in the electrical and wider construction sectors. |
| In the electrical industry alone women only make up around 1% of the total workforce. As an industry we need to broaden our approach to recruitment and the image we portray. We need to change the perception of the industry as one traditionally for boys and make it more inclusive and appealing to women. Young women need to see it as a viable, exciting career option from the very beginning. Too many young females are still pushed into careers such as hairdressing or childcare as it is the perceived norm. | In the electrical industry alone women only make up around 1% of the total workforce. As an industry we need to broaden our approach to recruitment and the image we portray. We need to change the perception of the industry as one traditionally for boys and make it more inclusive and appealing to women. Young women need to see it as a viable, exciting career option from the very beginning. Too many young females are still pushed into careers such as hairdressing or childcare as it is the perceived norm. |
| LS, 30, from New Delhi, India, said we must not forget to speak out for all women regardless of their income or sexual orientation. | LS, 30, from New Delhi, India, said we must not forget to speak out for all women regardless of their income or sexual orientation. |
| We’ve got to remember that 100 years ago only a small sub-section of women (property owners and so forth) got the right to vote. That pretty much encapsulates the biggest challenge facing women’s rights activists: embracing the need to advocate for all women, across race, sexual orientation, income, etc. Time and time again, we’ve seen how the biggest outcries have been over issues affecting the well-to-do set. It isn’t that issues that affect them aren’t important, just that they should not be the only issues that receive attention. Of course we need more female chief executives, STEM graduates and Google employees but we also have to speak up for women who are raped in conflict areas, black women who are likelier to die due to childbirth, and trans women who are overwhelmingly victims of assault. | We’ve got to remember that 100 years ago only a small sub-section of women (property owners and so forth) got the right to vote. That pretty much encapsulates the biggest challenge facing women’s rights activists: embracing the need to advocate for all women, across race, sexual orientation, income, etc. Time and time again, we’ve seen how the biggest outcries have been over issues affecting the well-to-do set. It isn’t that issues that affect them aren’t important, just that they should not be the only issues that receive attention. Of course we need more female chief executives, STEM graduates and Google employees but we also have to speak up for women who are raped in conflict areas, black women who are likelier to die due to childbirth, and trans women who are overwhelmingly victims of assault. |
| Today marks 100 years since some women won the right to vote in the UK. But how long did it take the UK and other countries around the world to grant universal suffrage? | Today marks 100 years since some women won the right to vote in the UK. But how long did it take the UK and other countries around the world to grant universal suffrage? |
| There was a dance performance in Victoria station this morning organised by various groups including the National Archives. | There was a dance performance in Victoria station this morning organised by various groups including the National Archives. |
| The event took place where renowned suffragette Emily Davison took the now infamous journey to Epsom race course in 2013, when she walked onto the track during the race. | The event took place where renowned suffragette Emily Davison took the now infamous journey to Epsom race course in 2013, when she walked onto the track during the race. |
| Celebrating #VOTE100, marking 100 years since the UK Parliament passed the Representation of the People Act, giving all men and the first women the right to vote. #londonvictoriastation #votesforwomen | Celebrating #VOTE100, marking 100 years since the UK Parliament passed the Representation of the People Act, giving all men and the first women the right to vote. #londonvictoriastation #votesforwomen |
| A post shared by London With Sage (@london_with_sage) on Feb 6, 2018 at 2:41am PST | A post shared by London With Sage (@london_with_sage) on Feb 6, 2018 at 2:41am PST |
| In the central lobby of parliament, where female MPs and peers gathered for the group photo earlier, inside a glass case is not just the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which allowed some female votes for the first time. There are also two other significant acts in terms of female representation. | In the central lobby of parliament, where female MPs and peers gathered for the group photo earlier, inside a glass case is not just the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which allowed some female votes for the first time. There are also two other significant acts in terms of female representation. |
| Also on display is the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, from 1918 as well, which for the first time allowed women to stand as MPs. | Also on display is the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, from 1918 as well, which for the first time allowed women to stand as MPs. |
| Finally, there is the Life Peerages Act, which in ending the monopoly of hereditary peers in the Lords, meant women could join the upper house for the first time. This was only passed in 1958 – 40 years after the first women got the vote. | Finally, there is the Life Peerages Act, which in ending the monopoly of hereditary peers in the Lords, meant women could join the upper house for the first time. This was only passed in 1958 – 40 years after the first women got the vote. |
| Groups of schoolchildren on tours were being shown the acts, with their significance explained. One group which had just been shown around the House of Lords had their mind on other things. “That gold throne in there,” one boy asked their guide, “how much would it cost?” | Groups of schoolchildren on tours were being shown the acts, with their significance explained. One group which had just been shown around the House of Lords had their mind on other things. “That gold throne in there,” one boy asked their guide, “how much would it cost?” |
| Another roundup from Twitter on today’s activities. | Another roundup from Twitter on today’s activities. |
| "I think we should say Miss Fookes is the most gorgeous redhead" - Fifty years after women first won the vote and the right to stand for Parliament, Janet (now Baroness) Fookes had to put up with this on election night 1970. #votesforwomen #Vote100 @UKVote100 @UKParliament pic.twitter.com/gIOtnqsHst | "I think we should say Miss Fookes is the most gorgeous redhead" - Fifty years after women first won the vote and the right to stand for Parliament, Janet (now Baroness) Fookes had to put up with this on election night 1970. #votesforwomen #Vote100 @UKVote100 @UKParliament pic.twitter.com/gIOtnqsHst |
| Important to remember today that only 40% of women were given the vote 100 years ago. Took another ten years for working class women to get the same rights. #suffrage100 #vote100 pic.twitter.com/ax3u35r5TN | Important to remember today that only 40% of women were given the vote 100 years ago. Took another ten years for working class women to get the same rights. #suffrage100 #vote100 pic.twitter.com/ax3u35r5TN |
| Women have broken many barriers over last 100 yrs (especially in leading medical bodies). Last male bastion to break into is @TheBMA (in nearly 200 year history never had a women as its Chair)#Suffrage100 | Women have broken many barriers over last 100 yrs (especially in leading medical bodies). Last male bastion to break into is @TheBMA (in nearly 200 year history never had a women as its Chair)#Suffrage100 |
| Suffrage history brought to life at Victoria Station this morning. Amazing performance @CombinationDC demonstrating how inspirational archives are #Vote100 pic.twitter.com/bcggHkoJuD | Suffrage history brought to life at Victoria Station this morning. Amazing performance @CombinationDC demonstrating how inspirational archives are #Vote100 pic.twitter.com/bcggHkoJuD |
| We thought it would be fascinating to see how today’s streets were once the sites of political struggle. The difficulty of course lies in pinpointing the correct locations – often the old photographs are imprecisely captioned, and many of the buildings have disappeared! We had to make sure we included a couple of the key photos: Emmeline Pankhurst being carried away from Buckingham Palace. And Emily Davison at the Epsom racecourse. | We thought it would be fascinating to see how today’s streets were once the sites of political struggle. The difficulty of course lies in pinpointing the correct locations – often the old photographs are imprecisely captioned, and many of the buildings have disappeared! We had to make sure we included a couple of the key photos: Emmeline Pankhurst being carried away from Buckingham Palace. And Emily Davison at the Epsom racecourse. |
| Jeremy Corbyn has pledged that the suffragettes who were given criminal records in their battle for equality would be pardoned under Labour | Jeremy Corbyn has pledged that the suffragettes who were given criminal records in their battle for equality would be pardoned under Labour |
| Corbyn also promised to grant an official apology for the miscarriages of justice and persecution the campaigners suffered if he took power. | Corbyn also promised to grant an official apology for the miscarriages of justice and persecution the campaigners suffered if he took power. |
| Home secretary Amber Rudd has said she will look at calls to pardon suffragettes but suggested it would be a complicated to carry out. It comes as Labour launches a 12-month campaign to celebrate women’s suffrage and to look at what steps can be taken to end the “grotesque levels of inequality” in society as well as the gender pay gap. Corbyn said: “As a country, we must recognise and honour the enormous contribution and sacrifice made by women who campaigned for the right to vote. | Home secretary Amber Rudd has said she will look at calls to pardon suffragettes but suggested it would be a complicated to carry out. It comes as Labour launches a 12-month campaign to celebrate women’s suffrage and to look at what steps can be taken to end the “grotesque levels of inequality” in society as well as the gender pay gap. Corbyn said: “As a country, we must recognise and honour the enormous contribution and sacrifice made by women who campaigned for the right to vote. |
| “Many of those women were treated appallingly by society and the state. Convictions of suffragettes were politically motivated and bore no relation to the acts committed.” He added: “Labour in government will both pardon the suffragettes and give an official apology for the miscarriages of justice and wider persecution they suffered.” | “Many of those women were treated appallingly by society and the state. Convictions of suffragettes were politically motivated and bore no relation to the acts committed.” He added: “Labour in government will both pardon the suffragettes and give an official apology for the miscarriages of justice and wider persecution they suffered.” |
| A century on from this, we want to hear from you about the important issues facing women today, especially after a year that has brought the #metoo movement – a social media movement to show how widespread sexual assault and harassment are. | A century on from this, we want to hear from you about the important issues facing women today, especially after a year that has brought the #metoo movement – a social media movement to show how widespread sexual assault and harassment are. |
| Share your thoughts | Share your thoughts |
| Tell us what you think and give views here. | Tell us what you think and give views here. |
| Theresa May is due to launch a year-long Vote 100 programme of events to celebrate a century of female suffrage today. | Theresa May is due to launch a year-long Vote 100 programme of events to celebrate a century of female suffrage today. |
| Female MPs past and present have been invited to the reception in parliament.Speaking ahead of the event, which is expected to be the largest gathering of the UK’s women politicians ever organised, she said: “I’m proud to say we have more women and more ethnic minority MPs in government than ever before – proving that we are committed to looking more like the country we serve. | Female MPs past and present have been invited to the reception in parliament.Speaking ahead of the event, which is expected to be the largest gathering of the UK’s women politicians ever organised, she said: “I’m proud to say we have more women and more ethnic minority MPs in government than ever before – proving that we are committed to looking more like the country we serve. |
| She added: “As well as remembering and giving thanks to those who came before us, we must also look at what more we can do to ensure everyone in the UK, regardless of background, has the freedom to play a full and active role in public life.” | She added: “As well as remembering and giving thanks to those who came before us, we must also look at what more we can do to ensure everyone in the UK, regardless of background, has the freedom to play a full and active role in public life.” |
| Jordhi Nullatamby, 17, member of the Youth parliament for Thurrock who will compère the event, said: “The Representation of the People Act 1918 was a vital step towards the rights women have today, and the centenary of the Act is an incredibly important opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come, thanks to the extreme bravery and sacrifice of the women who fought – and in some cases died – for equality. | Jordhi Nullatamby, 17, member of the Youth parliament for Thurrock who will compère the event, said: “The Representation of the People Act 1918 was a vital step towards the rights women have today, and the centenary of the Act is an incredibly important opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come, thanks to the extreme bravery and sacrifice of the women who fought – and in some cases died – for equality. |
| “Nevertheless, the job is not yet complete. The fight for equality continues, and we must continue to campaign for legislation which ensures equal opportunities for all people. Hopefully in the next 100 years we will again be able to look back and celebrate the amazing strides we have made towards an even more equal society.” | “Nevertheless, the job is not yet complete. The fight for equality continues, and we must continue to campaign for legislation which ensures equal opportunities for all people. Hopefully in the next 100 years we will again be able to look back and celebrate the amazing strides we have made towards an even more equal society.” |
| A roundup of some of the events and thoughts of the day so far. | A roundup of some of the events and thoughts of the day so far. |
| Joanna Lumley reading Emmeline Pankhurst - what a fantastic end to suffragette special edition of @BBCr4today #r4today | Joanna Lumley reading Emmeline Pankhurst - what a fantastic end to suffragette special edition of @BBCr4today #r4today |
| This was once the site of Calton Jail where many Suffragettes were imprisoned. Today, it is the seat of @ScotGov and the Suffragette flag is flying high. Thank you to all the women who fought for our right to vote - and enabled a woman to occupy the office of FM. #vote100 pic.twitter.com/efmGJ0VGqu | This was once the site of Calton Jail where many Suffragettes were imprisoned. Today, it is the seat of @ScotGov and the Suffragette flag is flying high. Thank you to all the women who fought for our right to vote - and enabled a woman to occupy the office of FM. #vote100 pic.twitter.com/efmGJ0VGqu |
| On the 100th anniversary of UK women winning the right to vote, I’m celebrating the long history of women organizing to make their communities better, safer & fairer for all. It’s a story that continues across the world today, led by incredible women like @NimkoAli. #Suffrage100 pic.twitter.com/Bag30nX2nX | On the 100th anniversary of UK women winning the right to vote, I’m celebrating the long history of women organizing to make their communities better, safer & fairer for all. It’s a story that continues across the world today, led by incredible women like @NimkoAli. #Suffrage100 pic.twitter.com/Bag30nX2nX |
| Welcome to our live blog to mark the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act. We will be giving you information about the events taking place across England today and also calling for our readers to discuss the important issues facing women at the moment. | Welcome to our live blog to mark the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act. We will be giving you information about the events taking place across England today and also calling for our readers to discuss the important issues facing women at the moment. |
| Share your views with us via email: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com | Share your views with us via email: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com |
| Look forward to getting started! | Look forward to getting started! |