Labour Women’s Parliamentary Staff Network
Past Events
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June 2023
Tuesday 6 June 2023 | 12:30-13:30 | Guest Speaker Bridget Phillipson MP
Bridget Phillipson is the Labour MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, and has been an MP since May 2010, as well as Labour’s fantastic Shadow Secretary of State for Education. Come and share your views on what Labour needs to deliver at the next election for the education sector and hear more from Bridget about Labour’s plans so far and her journey into politics.
Wednesday 21 June 2023 | 13:00-15:00 | Great Parliamentary Get Together with Kim Leadbeater MP
May 2023
Tuesday 16th May | 12:30 – 13:15 | Leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt
We’re pleased to be joined by the Leader of the House of Commons and Conservative MP for Portsmouth North since May 2010, Penny Mordaunt. We will be discussing a range of issues including The Good Parliament report 20 Jul Prof Sarah Childs The Good Parliament report.pdf (bristol.ac.uk), culture for women in Parliament and Penny’s role in the House of Commons. There will be lots of time for questions. Do join us!
April 2023
Thursday 27th April | 12:30 – 13:15 | Amy Hart
We’re delighted to be joined by Amy Hart for a Q&A. Most famous for her iconic appearance on Love Island in 2019, Amy describes herself as a ‘Labour gal through-and-through’ and is no stranger to a leaflet round in her native Worthing! Amy has been outspoken with her support for the Labour Party, as well as her own future political ambitions. She kicked off last year’s Labour conference in Brighton by interviewing Keir Starmer. She has also just become a first-time mum to baby Stanley! Join us to learn more about Amy’s political journey.
Tuesday, 25 April | 18:00 – 21:00 | Suffragette
Labour Women’s Parliamentary Staff Network ‘Suffragette’ film screening and panel discussion (Staff, MPs and Peers)
There are a few spaces remaining for this cross-party event in Parliament. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion which will include Helen Pankhurst. If you’d like to attend, please email [email protected] to secure a space. Places are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis.
March 2023
Extraordinary women to mark International Women’s Day
Tuesday 21 March | 12:30 – 13:15 | Behind the Downing St door with Anji Hunter
We’re delighted to be joined by Anji Hunter, as part of a series of speakers to mark International Women’s Day this month, to talk about women in public life, working in Downing Street and winning the next general election. Anji Hunter is a Senior Advisor at Edelman. She worked for former Prime Minister Tony Blair for 15 years, both in opposition and government, eventually serving as Head of Government Relations in Downing Street. Come and join us for this unforgettable meeting!
Tuesday 7 March 2023 | 12:30 – 13:30 | Guest Speaker Helena Kennedy
The network is delighted to welcome Helena Kennedy as our guest speaker for International Women’s Day this year. Helena has spent her professional life championing civil liberties, social justice and promoting human rights. The discussion will be particularly focused on women in Afghanistan and there will be ample time for questions.
January 2023
28 January 2023 | Campaigning for Ashley Dalton
February 2022
Thursday 10 February 2022 | 12:30-13:10 | Guest speaker Deborah Mattinson
Deborah is the Director of Strategy for Keir Starmer and advised Labour through the 1980s and the birth of New Labour. Deborah will be taking us through some recent polling and telling us how women view the Labour party across the UK.
December 2021
16 December 2021 | 12:30 | Guest speaker Bridget Phillipson MP Please join us at 12:30 for a Christmas wind down and conversation with Bridget Phillipson, MP for Houghton and Sunderland South and new Shadow Education Secretary. As usual, Chatham House rules apply but do please come with any questions you’d like to ask Bridget. Please email [email protected] for further information and link.
8 December 2021 The Labour and Conservative Women’s Parliamentary Staff Networks invite you to
The Great Cross-Party Get Together – with Kim Leadbeater MP (aerobics class) Time: 8:30am – 9:15am Date: 8 December 2021
Following the covid-19 pandemic and tragic murder of Sir David Amess MP we wanted to do something to bring everyone together in a safe way to spend some light-hearted time together and would be delighted if you could join us.
This aerobics class is open to all MPs, Peers and their staff and we hope you can join in with your team. You’ll be pleased to know that lycra is not compulsory but fancy dress is welcome!
Please sign up via https://forms.gle/JJiogrvnRuuPwHUr9
April 2021
Tuesday 27th | 12.30pm | Women in local government | 1 hour (approx) We are delighted to bring you a councillors panel discussion on women in local government where attendees will learn more about what you need to do to stand for selection, what it’s like to be a councillor, how to survive the election campaign and more! We are thrilled to be running this event in partnership with the Labour Women’s Network and Fabian Councillors Network. We will be hearing from Cllr Naushabah Khan, Labour and Co-operative Councillor at Medway Council, Cllr Josie Channer, Labour Councillor at Barking and Dagenham Council, Cllr Sharon Thompson from Birmingham City Council and more women to be announced.
Thursday 22nd | 12.30pm | Carolyn Harris MP and Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP | 1 hour (approx) Join us for this unique cross-party meeting for women working for MPs and Peers examining cross-party working to progress legislation through Parliament and the difference that can be made by working together across the political divide. We are delighted to be joined by Carolyn Harris, the Labour MP for Swansea East and Deputy Leader of Welsh Labour, and Andrea Leadsom, the Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire, former Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President. There will be ample time for questions. Don’t miss it! *This is a cross-party session open to all women working for MPs and Peers from all political parties.
March 2021
Tuesday 23rd | 12.30pm | UK Women’s Budget Group | 45 mins (approx) We are delighted to be joined by Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, Director of the UK Women’s Budget Group, who will be talking to us about the principles of feminist economics and gender budget analysis in the month when we are expecting a budget statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer. There will be ample time for questions.
Tuesday 9th | 12.30pm | David Lammy MP | 40 mins (approx) David Lammy is the Labour MP for Tottenham, Shadow Lord Chancellor and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice. Join us for an interactive discussion with David who will be sharing his experiences in front line politics and answering questions on a range of topics. We’re delighted to be partnering with the Labour BAME Staffers Network for this event.
Thursday 4th | 6pm | Compassion in Politics | 1 hour (approx) Join us for a session with Jennifer Nadel, Co-director for Compassion in Politics, focusing on looking after your own wellbeing and gaining the tools and strategies to prevent burn out in a high pressured working environment. Jennifer Nadel is a qualified barrister, author, political strategist, activist and award-winning television journalist. She has reported for the BBC, Channel Four News and was ITN’s Home Affairs editor. Compassion in Politics is a cross-party organisation working to put compassion, inclusion, and cooperation at the heart of politics. More information on the organisation can be found here: https://www.compassioninpolitics.com/ *This is a cross-party session open to all women working for MPs and Peers from all political parties.
February 2021
Thursday 11th | 12.30pm | Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP | 45 mins (approx) We are delighted to be joined by the Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee and former minister at the Home Office, Department for Work and Pensions and Cabinet Office. Caroline is the Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, first elected in 2010. There will be ample time for questions. Don’t miss it!
Tuesday 9th | 12.30pm | Jacqui Smith | 45 mins (approx) We are delighted to be joined by former Labour Home Secretary and For the Many podcast co-host Jacqui Smith for what promises to be a fascinating conversation about women in politics and public life. Hear more on what it was like for women coming into Parliament following the 1997 general election, what you need to do to stand for elected office and we’ll be sure to have some back stage gossip from the Strictly Come Dancing show too! Join us for this unmissable session which promises to be lots of fun.
Tuesday 2nd | 12.30pm | Jess Phillips MP | 45 mins (approx) Jess Phillips is Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding. A woman that’s never afraid of speaking the truth, we’re delighted she will be joining us for a conversation on women, politics and how to make an impact. Please be prepared for an interactive conversation with Jess. There will be opportunities for questions.
January 2021
Thursday 28th | 12:30pm | Social media skills | 1 hour We’re delighted to be joined by Twitter and Facebook representatives for a session on developing your social media skills. The time will be split into two half hour sessions with each presenter. This much requested session will explore everything from creating compelling content to drive engagement on the two platforms to how to use all the features they offer to reach a wider audience. Do not miss it!
Thursday 21st | 12:30pm | Conflict resolution for yourself and others | 1 hour Come and join us for a second session with Kay Scorah to learn more about conflict resolution. This session will look at applying all our learning in the previous session to conflict, harassment and bullying scenarios. There will be ample opportunity for questions throughout the session.
Tuesday 19th | 12:30pm | How to be an expert listener | 1 hour Come and join us for the first of two interactive sessions with Kay Scorah to learn more about how you can become an expert listener in conflict situations, using what you hear to build bridges between yourself and others. Kay has over 40 years of experience working with leadership teams in business, science and the charity sector. In 2019, she founded the Turning the Tables conference where business leaders come to learn from young people who have been through difficult, even life-threatening experiences. There will be ample opportunity for questions throughout the session.
12 January 2021 | The Great Winter Get Together 
DECEMBER 2020 – Women’s representation themed month
Thursday 10 December 2020 | Women, leadership and statistics | 1 hour Professor Rosie Campbell, Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, will be joining the network for the last session of the winter to discuss the institute’s latest research produced with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, which has found that women political leaders are key to more equal and caring societies. The report is based on an analysis of over 500 pieces of research into the impacts of women leaders in politics and public life, and shows that when women are able to exercise political leadership, there are gains for the whole of society. You can read the full report here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/women-political-leaders-key-to-more-equal-and-caring-societies
Tuesday 8 December 2020 | Women in Westminster | 1 hour Rachel Reeves MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Labour MP for Leeds West, will be joining the network to talk about her book ‘Women of Westminster: The MPs Who Changed Politics’. Join us for what should be a fascinating conversation about the battles fought by women from 1919 to 2019. There will be an opportunity for questions.
NOVEMBER 2020
Tuesday 24 November 2020 | Journalists panel discussion on women in the media | 1 hour We’re excited to bring you a panel discussion on women’s experiences in the media with journalists from across the media who will share their insights into the challenges and opportunities they face bringing us the news from Westminster, the United Kingdom and around the world. We will be joined by Esther Webber from the Times RedBox, and two other journalists to be confirmed.
Tuesday 17 November 2020 | Preet Kaur Gill MP | 40 mins Preet Kaur Gill MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development and Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, will be joining us to talk about her experiences in politics and discuss Labour’s view on how we can work more collaboratively with other countries around the world in a post Brexit era.
Thursday 12 November 2020 | Women’s rights at work | 40 mins Join us for the second meeting with two trade union representatives – Jenny Symmons from the GMB and Lily Lewis from UNITE parliamentary staff union branches – who will brief the network on everything you need to know about your rights at work. There will be ample opportunity for questions and useful information and links will be shared out with the network after the session.
Tuesday 10 November 2020 | Sexual harassment and your rights | 40 mins We are delighted to be joined by Deeba Syed, Senior Legal Officer at Rights of Women, for a Q and A session on sexual harassment and your rights. Deeba is a qualified solicitor, originally training in the financial sector and now specialising in employment law. She is an experienced equality and women’s rights campaigner and activist. She has previously worked in politics, communications and the charity sector.
OCTOBER 2020 – mental health and wellbeing focus for World Mental Health Day on 10th October
Tuesday 27 October 2020 | Tackling Abuse in Public Life | 1 hour We are delighted that Catherine Anderson, CEO of the Jo Cox Foundation, will be joining us for a discussion on tackling abuse in public life and to tell us more about the work of the foundation and how we can get involved to help make a change. Catherine is no stranger to Parliament having worked for Rory Stewart MP for a number of years. The Foundation was established in 2016 by the friends and family of the late Jo Cox MP and is aiming to build a positive legacy for Jo.
Tuesday 20 October 2020 | Great coffee get together | 40 mins This is an opportunity for just us to get together for a chat to share our recommendations on interesting things to read, what to watch and listen to. This could be a book you’re reading at the moment, Podcast you’re listening to or an event you’re attending that may be useful to others. Put the kettle on and check in with the network on how you’re doing and share some interesting things to get stuck into!
Thursday 15 October 2020 | Women Political Advisors to the Shadow Cabinet | 40 mins Join us for a special session with the women advising members of the Shadow Cabinet including Sally Copley, Political Advisor (PAD) to Marsha de Cordova MP, Emma McNicholas, PAD to Lord Falconer of Thoroton (Charlie Falconer), Kate Robson, PAD to Cat Smith MP and Collette Bird, PAD to Jon Ashworth MP. This much requested session will explore the role of an advisor, provide advice for those looking to progress their parliamentary careers and give the network an opportunity to meet and ask questions of these fantastic women. Do not miss it!
Tuesday 13 October 2020 | Looking after your mental health and wellbeing | 1 hour Dr Sonia Adesara is an NHS doctor, women’s activist and the former Director of 50:50 Parliament. She will be talking to us about mental health and the effects of policies on women and give top tips on looking after our own health and wellbeing. Do join us for what we’re sure will be an invaluable session for the network.
Tuesday 6 October 2020 | Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP | 40 mins Dr Rosena Allin-Khan is Labour’s Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Member of Parliament for Tooting, A and E doctor and a woman that always gets her tone right! We’re delighted she will be joining us for a conversation with the network on mental health and wellbeing. Please be prepared for an interactive conversation with Rosena. There will be opportunities for questions.
SEPTEMBER 2020
Tuesday 22 September 2020 | The Good Parliament | 1 hour The network will be joined by Professor Sarah Childs, Professor of Politics and Gender at Royal Holloway University of London and author of ‘The Good Parliament’ report which was published on 20th July 2016. We will discuss this report with Professor Childs who made 43 recommendations focusing on three elements; equality of participation, parliamentary infrastructure and Commons culture. We’d recommend reading the report in advance of this meeting which can be found here: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/news/2016/july/20%20Jul%20Prof%20Sarah%20Childs%20The%20Good%20Parliament%20report.pdf
Thursday 17 September 2020 | Writing good comms | 40 mins This session will cover top tips on writing good emails, engaging articles and press releases and how to properly brief journalists. We are delighted to be joined by Georgina Bailey, Policy Editor for The House Magazine and lead for parliamentary campaigns coverage, as well as covering the work of All-Party Parliamentary Groups. This session is a must for all communications staff and an opportunity to meet one of the women lobby journalists in Westminster. You can read all articles published by Georgina here: https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/peer/georgina-bailey.htm
Tuesday 15 September 2020 | Women’s rights at work | 40 mins Join us for the first of two meetings with two trade union representatives – Jenny Symmons from the GMB and Priya Dev from UNITE parliamentary staff union branches – who will brief the network on everything you need to know about your rights at work. There will be ample opportunity for questions and useful information and links will be shared out with the network after the session.
Thursday 10 September 2020 | Parliamentary procedures | 1 hour Come and join us to explore parliamentary procedures with two senior clerks from the Table Office and Public Bill Office in the House of Commons. The clerks will be taking the network through tabling orderly oral and written questions, amending legislation, explain how legislation is passed through both houses of Parliament, and more! The time will be split into two half hour sessions. Each presenter will talk to the network for approx.10 minutes followed by approx. 20 mins of questions from the network. There will be materials to take away afterwards.
Tuesday 8 September 2020 | Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP | 40 mins We are joined at our first formal meeting of the autumn with the Mother of the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Camberwell and Peckham, the Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP to discuss women’s participation in public life and her experiences in Parliament since first being elected to the House in 1982. Questions will be read out that have been submitted in advance and some taken in real time.