Sir John Talbot's School | Herstory Newsletter Issue 6

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ISSUE NO. 6

Special Edition- November 2022

Written by Leema Ali

“You have to be part of the movement, just chatting about it won’t change anything.”

At the start of the Autumn Term, our Herstory team had the privilege of interviewing our MP for North Shropshire Helen Morgan. Asking about her experiences as a woman in politics, we were especially eager to find out more about her own personal story, as well as an insight into how she has overcome adversities whilst in her leadership

position.

It’s a fresh September morning, and we are nervous for our first Herstory interview of the year. Helen Morgan enters the office with a friendly demeanour; her welcoming smile is a breath of fresh air than the politicians we are used to seeing on our TV screens. Instantly, we are put at ease. Greeted with a “don’t worry I get nervous too!” our fears are alleviated, and our tide rises to enthusiasm of knowing more about her long journey into the vast world of politics.

Helen brightens at the mention of her journey into becoming an MP, and in response she mentions that she primarily became involved in politics due to her disappointment with the Labour Party in 2015. When asked why Helen decided to fully take part in being an activist, she acknowledged that if you are desperate for change, you must act and become part of the movement. Something that she encourages all young people to do. Later that afternoon, she puts these words into action by meeting with a range of students from all year groups to answer their questions and listen to concerns in their constituency. Some of these students

would later tell us that they can see a future in politics. A sentiment that has undoubtedly come from being given the time of their local MP. Intrigued about what she stands for as a Liberal Democrat, we ask what her core values are.

Helen’s expression brightens and she replies enthusiastically explaining the fundamental point that her values as a person align with the party. Helen places emphasis on believing in what brings people together. She remarks “we shouldn’t categorise people and generate hate.” We nod in agreement and reflect ourselves on how polarising politics has become for many in recent times. When asked why she chooses to stand by this ‘togetherness’ Helen expresses that “I am not into the whole above all we should value respect and accept that politics of hate idea. I people have the right to disagree. When prompted as to why this is important to her, Helen brings light can accept when people to the idea of acceptance of how everyone should disagree with me” live their life in such a diverse nation such as Great Britain. It is her understanding that this vast tapestry of difference, will also bring disagreement and that healthy debate is about listening as well as bringing your point to the table.

Curious about what key women inspired her to take this path, Helen shares that the main women that motivated her early in life were her own grandmother and Mo Mowlam (a famous Labour Party politician). She elaborates that her admiration comes from that they were both their “own woman.” Helen has encompassed the sentiment of being your “own woman” and says that in her position as an MP it is “People make comments crucial, as voters will always see through any façade. about a woman that they She continues that both her grandmother and Mo Mowlam were direct talkers - something that has not wouldn’t make about a traditionally been encouraged for women. She tells us man - ultimately you just that although her grandmother suffered with polio, have to rise through it” she had never complained and that served as an inspiration in itself.

We pivot to question Helen on being a woman in politics and the adversities that can come with it. In response, Helen describes that the local party; although mostly consisting of men, embrace and support having a woman involved in such a key position. When asked about how the public views women, Helen admits frustration that the public on social media can make irrelevant comments to a woman that would never be said to a man. She continues and acknowledges although overt sexism has not hindered her own pursuit that there is still disparity between how men and women are treated in wider politics and gives the advice that “you have to rise through it” to ultimately get the job done.

As someone with a public platform we asked Helen about how she deals with the very hurdles we as students tackle: anxiety and self-doubt. Helen places emphasis on the idea that no one is perfect, and in a job where you cannot appear to be anxious, it has been a barrier she continues to overcome. Her guidance is “to tackle things head on” and in those moments to remember “I have the right to be here the same way everyone else does.”

As our time with Helen begins to close, we eagerly ask for what advice she would give to young women in school. Helen pauses and explains she would tell us exactly what she would tell her son: that thinking of a career plan should not be your priority. Instead, it is better to study subjects you like and enjoy as ultimately, you will be best at them. As young women currently thinking about future A-level and degree choices, these were words that resonated strongly.

After the initial interview, we shifted dynamic to tell Helen about our concerns in relation to the local community. Helen takes an immediate listening demeanour and encourages us to speak openly. We tell her about the lack of local swimming facilities, how a generation will be left not knowing how to swim. We tell her our own personal experiences of unsafe journeys to school through the absence of a crossing and emotional stories of long ambulance wait times as loved ones have been left suffering after unmet calls. Hearing the long and sometimes unrelenting processes that must be completed to enable change in the local area opens our eyes to the work of the politician. We learn how local councils have a vital role in change and how as a school we can be reaching out further to try to enable this.

The Herstory Team want to give heartfelt thanks for being given the opportunity to experience speaking to a politician. Helen Morgan has shown our team a fantastic example of a strong, passionate, and capable woman in politics, and taught us that we are able to achieve what we put our minds to. Our team are left to absorb the legacy of her words that: whatever we work hard for, we will achieve.