Commentary and opinion on national and regional politics by Seema Malhotra

Thursday 30 October 2008

National Portrait Gallery celebrates Women MPs

Yesterday was a historic day. One of those small but significant events that someone in the future identifies as a day that a key political statement was made. Women's Parliamentary Radio brokered an event at The National Portrait Gallery - a breakfast press launch of a collection of photographs entitled "The Day the Carlton Club accepted Women" .

Four photographic portraits of women MPs in Westminster , party by party, were unveiled for the first time at the NPG roof-top restaurant on Wednesday, 29th October at 8.30 am.
The collection of photographs were taken by photographer Kieran Doherty for www.wpradio.co.uk to mark 90 years since women were first given the vote. I was honoured to be involved in the taking of the photos, a cross-party event, entertaining the Women MPs with readings as they were brought together for the historic photo.

A simple but significant gesture, to recognise and make visible for the nation the women in our national parliament, and the struggle it has taken to get them there.

Obama victory - a gift for all nations?

A work colleague found out I was going to America next week. Quote "I’ll have an Obama baseball cap, please, if you’re bringing back presents for everyone!". I told him he should consider it done, and that I already had the "Change you can believe in" T-shirt. Though of course the best present I could bring back would be an Obama victory. Here's to a world-changing week ahead.