Thanks to everyone who contributed to and followed the live blog today, we will now be wrapping it up. Share any further thoughts/ comments: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com
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The Royal Mail have issued a set of eight stamps celebrating campaigning in the decade before the right to vote was secured with the 1918 Representation of the People Act.
‘We owe it to their memory’: Family stories from the suffragette movement
We have a piece showcasing the stories of readers’ relatives as the nation marks a century since the act that paved the way for universal suffrage.
Joanna Wickenden Ibarra, London – Granddaughter of Dora Spong
It was my brother, Peter, and his wife, Zulma, who discovered our grandmother Dora’s magnificent Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) certificate, signed by Emmeline Pankhurst. It was a bit torn, lying at the bottom of a drawer.
They had the certificate restored and framed – it measures 26 x 20 inches (60cm x 50cm) and commemorates Dora’s dedication to the cause “ever ready to obey the call of duty”.
We know that Dora and her sister, my great aunt Florence Spong, joined the WSPU in 1908 to fight for the right to vote and spent some time in prison for their actions.
All the women in their family attended WSPU demonstrations. Irene, another great aunt, gave concerts for the cause, and both Florence and Dora were arrested several times and sent to Holloway prison. Florence was charged with stone-throwing at the WSPU deputation of 29 June 1909, sentenced to a month’s imprisonment and went on hunger strike. This did not stop her from repeating the action in protest at the way suffragettes were treated in Parliament Square on “Black Friday” in November 1910, which got her another two months’ imprisonment.
Florence embroidered her signature on the WSPU banner made in Holloway prison that is still on display at the Museum of London.
Among the artefacts that have stayed in the family is a brooch, a portcullis with the symbolic broken chain which, we understood as children, celebrates victory in the fight for women’s suffrage.
From the archive: Manchester celebrates women gaining the vote - February 1918
How the Guardian reported celebrations in Manchester, home of the suffrage movement, to mark the passing of the Representation of the People Act, 100 years ago
Reaction to Theresa May’s speech on Twitter.
Theresa May in women's suffrage speech says online abuse/intimidation is targeted at political candidates who are female, black, minority ethnic or LGBT. But no announcement of new criminal offence of intimidating a politician. Instead Law Cssm to review {nb could take years] pic.twitter.com/ohY8VkLVwT
— Alan Travis (@alantravis40) February 6, 2018
Very interesting speech by Theresa May on the sustainability of the local press. Hope it makes a difference. Lots of good local journalists no longer in the profession sadly
— Matt Knight (@maktheknight) February 6, 2018
Theresa May has announced a review of the sustainability of Britain’s printed press, looking into funding models to ensure the continuation of high-quality national and local journalism.
Speaking in Manchester, the prime minister warned that losing hundreds of titles was “dangerous for our democracy”.
She warned that “when trusted and credible news sources decline, we can become vulnerable to news which is untrustworthy”.
May said that to address this challenge, the government will launch a review to examine press sustainability. “It will look at the different business models for high-quality journalism,” she said.
She added: “It will consider whether the creators of content are getting their fair share of advertisement revenue.
“And it will recommend whether industry or government-led solutions can help improve the sustainability of the sector for the future. A free press is one of the foundations on which our democracy is built, and it must be preserved.”
Amber Rudd says she puts up with 'hate' because 'female voices in politics matter'
The home secretary Amber Rudd has said she puts up with “hate” because “female voices matter in politics and in life”.
Delivering a statement on the suffrage centenary in the Commons, she said she is often asked by people in her Hastings and Rye constituency: “‘How can you bear it, the hate?”’
Rudd told MPs: “And I’ll tell you: I bear it like other women in this chamber do because I know that female voices matter in politics and in life.
“But we shouldn’t have to bear it: we need to call this sort of behaviour out and make clear that enough is enough.”
The home secretary also announced the opening of a “large grant scheme” to allow local community groups to bid for suffrage projects worth up to 125,000. It’s part of a £5m fund to celebrate the centenary.
She said: “Money will also go to projects specifically designed to increase the number of women in political office, including piloting a programme to inspire young women with opportunities to be leaders in their communities.”
Prime minister Theresa May has announced a review of the sustainability of the printed press, looking at business models to support high-quality journalism.
May now talking about free press, which she calls “huge force for good” but says she is concerned by decline of local journalism. She is launching a review on the sustainability of the sector.
— Jessica Elgot (@jessicaelgot) February 6, 2018
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Theresa May will consider making it an offence to abuse political candidates
May says government will act on recommendations re harassment of MPs and other politicians - including consulting on a new offence of targeting MPs
— Jessica Elgot (@jessicaelgot) February 6, 2018
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Speaking in Manchester to mark the women’s suffrage centenary, Theresa May talked abut the abuse women face in public life.
She said: “Social media ... should be a force for good ... but it is being exploited and abused often anonymously.”
May mentioned the fact Haringey Council leader to quit amid “bullying” claims. “One of most senior women in local governmnent was forced out,” she said.
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Theresa May is speaking in Manchester to mark the Women's suffrage centenary
May says Britain’s liberal values are respected around the world, but says she worries about the “coarsening” of public debate #Vote100
— Jessica Elgot (@jessicaelgot) February 6, 2018
Those who fought for their right, my right, to vote, faced fierce opposition, May says. But stresses they won the *argument*
— Jessica Elgot (@jessicaelgot) February 6, 2018
May reading list of women now in high office, PM, leaders of both houses, of main Scottish parties, Black Rod, judiciary, Met Police, CBI, TUC... it’s pretty impressive when heard out loud like this #Vote100
— Jessica Elgot (@jessicaelgot) February 6, 2018
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The Guardian’s political correspondent Jessica Elgot is in Manchester for Theresa May’s speech.
Theresa May speaking now in Manchester, in purple jacket and suffragette pin #Vote100 pic.twitter.com/P1rOxjjB1B
— Jessica Elgot (@jessicaelgot) February 6, 2018
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We have now put a live feed of Theresa May’s Manchester speech in the main picture slot of the blog.
The suffragette colours were flying over the British Library near the Guardian’s offices today.
Good to see @britishlibrary marking #vote100 today. Your Bloomsbury reading rooms were where so many women first entered & changed the world of knowledge, politics, writing. pic.twitter.com/MaeWuJ7kgC
— Ruth Livesey (@LiveseyRuth) February 6, 2018
Our Instagram feed is dedicated to the suffragettes today
Today we are dedicating our Instagram feed to the women who fought for the right to vote, and to those who are continuing to fight for true equality. We are including the words of Emmeline Pankhurst and the photos of Christina Broom, one of the UK’s first press photographers whose pioneering photos of the suffragettes captured a pivotal time for the movement.
Later we’ll look at how far we have to go before true parity is realised. Follow us here https://www.instagram.com/guardian
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We got a lovely comment in from a reader, who has been following the live blog.
Katherine Buckingham: My two girls have been marching around today, singing ‘votes for women!’
Here’s a photo of my two girls before school this morning, wearing rosettes they made themselves. Erica, who is five, is on the right, and Sylvia, three, is on the left. She is named after Sylvia Pankhurst.
We think it’s important to use days like today to teach our children about the bravery and sacrifice that has shaped the world they now live in. And my girls love it - they’ve been marching around singing ‘votes for women!’.
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More of you have been in touch about the biggest goals for women’s rights today - one of them being the perception of power.
Ellen from North Wales said we need to change the attitude of some men who still perceive women to be objects.
These men do not see us as their equals. Those with actual power and imagined power use it to try and belittle us. Only when we group together in a movement like #MeToo do we find out the inequality that still goes on to this day. Assuming many did not take part in this the staggering number suggests a larger problem.
Divya from London, thinks economic and financial independence of women of all classes should be next.
This will empower women to raise their voices and be a part of every decision-making dialogue. This will mean more investment in women’s health issues and research, more products that women can use (not pink pens that some male CEO thinks women need!), a shift in governmental policy - more child care support and benefits, more help for women to get back into the work force, and support for victims of sexual predators (from online harassment to rape). This will mean ensuring men are part of this movement, actively call out unequal behaviour and actively support women on a day to day basis.
If we went back to 1919 – who on Twitter would be railing against votes for women?
This tweet from journalist Jane Merrick is getting a lot of love.
I’m playing a fun game in my head where, if all of us on Twitter went back in time to 1918, who here would be railing against votes for women #Vote100 #100years #Suffragette100
— Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23) February 6, 2018
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Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy has spoken about women’s rights today.
Today, we celebrate the battle that women fought for their part in democracy, and their heroic struggle to challenge the belief that women were subordinate to men. #Votes100 #Suffragette100 pic.twitter.com/Hzi8B535Re
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) February 6, 2018
Protests change the world. The arc of the moral universe may bend towards justice but it will not bend on its own - we need people to fight for what is right. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the women who stood up, fought and changed the world. #Votes100 #Suffragette100 pic.twitter.com/czZOkeptCr
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) February 6, 2018
'Proud feminist' Sadiq Khan speaks at the suffragette exhibition in Trafalgar Square
It was a cold but clear morning that welcomed in the centenary of some women and all men getting the vote, as the mayor of London Sadiq Khan unveiled a pop-up tribute to those that campaigned to make it happen in Trafalgar Square today.
“Proud feminist” Sadiq Khan @MayorofLondon at #BehindEveryGreatCity centenary celebrations: “100 years on we still have huge gender inequality, we have to use this year to make a change”. pic.twitter.com/GCOQo6zCr9
— Alexandra Topping (@LexyTopping) February 6, 2018
Unveiling a screen of life-sized images of 59 campaigners – who will feature on the new statue of suffragist leader Millicent Fawcett, which will be erected in the spring – Khan said the image was a reminder of the breadth and diversity of the movement. He added that the centenary year had to be seized as an opportunity to further women’s rights.
“When I campaigned to be mayor I said I wanted to be a proud feminist in City Hall, and hopefully people have seen that we mean what we say in relation to that,” he said.
“On a personal level, I am the father of two girls and I love them and there is no reason why these talented, bright women should have every opportunity to do what they want, but because they are girls or women instead of boys or men their potential is limited. It’s a fact that life chances, career prospects, pay – these are all affected by your gender. That can’t be right in 2018 in the most progressive city in the world.”
Historian Lucy Worsley, dressed in full suffragette regalia said it was a moment to honour and celebrate, but also commemorate. “A lot of these women paid a very heavy price, with their health, in their family life – this isn’t just a celebration it’s also about remembering the sacrifices they made,” she said. “I’m sure that some of these women would be looking at the world today and thinking there hasn’t been as much progress made as they would have hoped.”
The amazing @Lucy_Worsley at #vote100 #behindeverygreatcity centenary celebrations: “it’s not just about celebrations, it’s about remembering the price these women paid”. pic.twitter.com/xg34B7Ad68
— Alexandra Topping (@LexyTopping) February 6, 2018
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Rare collection of suffragette posters goes on display
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.
'Our periods should not be the reason we are held back'
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.
The 1910s: ‘We have sanitised our history of the suffragettes’
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: 'I would have been a moderate suffragist rather than a 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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
When did women win the vote around the world?
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?
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Video: dance at Victoria station
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.
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Acts on display in parliament today
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.
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?”
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
— Martyn Oates (@bbcmartynoates) February 5, 2018
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
— Kate Proctor (@KateProctorES) February 6, 2018
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
— Clare Gerada #FBPE (@ClareGerada) February 6, 2018
Suffrage history brought to life at Victoria Station this morning. Amazing performance @CombinationDC demonstrating how inspirational archives are #Vote100 pic.twitter.com/bcggHkoJuD
— Dave Langrish (@DaveLangrish1) February 6, 2018
Pictures: suffragette London – then and now
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 says Labour would pardon and apologise to suffragettes
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.
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.”
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What's now the biggest goal for women's rights? Share your thoughts
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
Tell us what you think and give views here.
The largest gathering of the UK’s women politicians ever organised
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.
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.
“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.
Joanna Lumley reading Emmeline Pankhurst - what a fantastic end to suffragette special edition of @BBCr4today #r4today
— Andrew Clark (@clarkaw) February 6, 2018
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
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 6, 2018
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
— Melinda Gates (@melindagates) February 6, 2018
Welcome to our live blog
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
Look forward to getting started!
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