Category Archives: Current Affairs

Women’s Suffrage and the movement’s influence on government policy

It’s the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which gave women over the age of 30, with certain property qualifications, the right to vote in national elections in the UK for the first time (UK Parliament, 2016). How much of that law was influenced by the Women’s Suffrage Movement is hotly debated among academics and historians.

The term ‘women’s suffrage’ is often incorrectly used to mean ‘Suffragette’ but in fact Suffragettes were the more militant wing of the Women’s Suffrage Movement, the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) lead by Emmeline Pankhurst. Suffragists using more law-abiding methods under the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), led by Millicent Garrett Fawcett, did not describe themselves as Suffragettes and there is a question over whether the more famous, militant actions were as effective as the quieter lobbying by the NUWSS (Purvis, 2013).
Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Current Affairs, Diversity

Flashing Farce

The London 2012 logo has been unveiled.   If it’s not enough that the vast majority of people hate it (I was at a conference today where we were asked who liked it – 3 people raised their hands) – it’s now having to be removed from the website amid fears that it can trigger epilepsy.

On the BBCs Sports Editor blog, Clare Stocks asks us to give it a chance.  The 53 comments on her post so far don’t seem that gracious about it.

I saw it and thought "eurgh" – and how dated will that look by 2012?  I’m waiting for it to grow on me.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Current Affairs

Blogging Backlash

As 2006 draws to a close and a new year dawns I have begin the yearly ritual of clearing out my favourites on internet explorer and found my favourite headline of the year.

Enraged Locals Drive Blogger From Barrow-in-Furness

I’ve never been to Barrow, but it sounds, erm, delightful!

Leave a Comment

Filed under Current Affairs, Social Media