Wera Hobhouse MP on Protecting the Values of Open Society and Liberal Democracy in Parliament Artwork

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Wera Hobhouse MP on Protecting the Values of Open Society and Liberal Democracy in Parliament

March 21, 2023 • Cassandra Rae Pittman • Season 3 • Episode 6

Brought to you in partnership with 50:50 Parliament, I’m joined this week by Wera Hobhouse MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change and Transport as we delve into the importance of championing an open society in Parliament. In the episode, Wera reflects on how her upbringing in post-war Germany helped shape her commitment to protecting the values of liberal democracy, flaws and all, and why you need to defend these from the centre. We explore her passion for protecting the environment, how serving in local government influenced her approach as an MP, and how a backbench MP in the minority can influence legislation. Wera also opens up about the firsthand bloodbath of crossing the political aisle, and her memories of the night the Berlin Wall came down, so settle in, and get ready to listen as we explore the life and career of one of the Liberal Democrats rising stars.

*** Please note at the time of the interview Wera was Spokesperson for Justice, Women, and Inequalities, and is referred to as such in the intro for the episode.***

About Wera Hobhouse:
A committed pro-European and environmentalist, Wera is the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath. She was born in Hanover, West Germany where her passion for politics started with the anti-nuclear movement. She moved to the UK in 1990 after meeting her husband shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall, becoming a teacher and local council member in Rochdale, first for the Conservative party, before defecting to the Liberal Democrats over her opposition to the development of 650 homes on contaminated land at a former asbestos factory. In 2014, she moved to Bath and stood against Jacob Rees-Mogg in the 2015 general election, before going on to be successfully elected in 2017. As an MP, Wera’s achievements have included helping more than 15,000 constituents with casework, making up-skirting a criminal offense in England, the successful campaign to re-establish a public-facing police station, and fighting for better mental health services and strengthening protections for domestic abuse survivors.

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Notice:
This episode of the Power Done Differently podcast was brought to you in partnership with 50:50 Parliament, the campaign to promote equal seats and equal say for women in parliament. The views and opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect the views and positions, or official policy of 50:50 Parliament, and do not constitute an endorsement guarantee, warranty, or recommendation. The Power Done Differently podcast assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy contained in third-party materials or on third-party sites referenced in this podcast.