“Parliament is a breeding ground for bullying”: Tara Jane O’Reilly talks to Ian Dunt

Bullying and sexual harassment are a blight on Parliament – and Westminster has been slow to deal with it. Cofounder of Women in Westminster and campaigner on the winning Starmer and Sadiq Khan campaigns Tara Jane O’Reilly talks to Ian Dunt about the measures women have to take to stay safe in Westminster; and whether the new independent complaints procedure will make a positive difference.

• “When you call out sexual harassment in Westminster, you’re not just complaining about your boss. You’re complaining about the people who run the country.”
• “You’re expected to be grateful and feel lucky to be in Westminster at all. And that’s used to silence people.”
• “There are whisper networks where women talk to one another – but seldom does anything get done.”
• “Every party, including Labour, has been dismal about supporting women in politics.”
• “Do I think I’m burning down my future career by speaking out? Every single time.”

Presented by Ian Dunt. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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