This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/mar/08/pankhurst-relative-priti-patel-eu-suffragette-comparison

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pankhurst relative condemns Priti Patel's EU-suffragette comparison Pankhurst relative condemns Priti Patel's Brexit-suffragette comparison
(35 minutes later)
The great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst has criticised Tory cabinet minister Priti Patel for claiming the suffragettes were fighting for the same cause as those who want Britain to leave the EU.The great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst has criticised Tory cabinet minister Priti Patel for claiming the suffragettes were fighting for the same cause as those who want Britain to leave the EU.
Helen Pankhurst said it was “unacceptable” to use her ancestor’s achievements to promote Brexit, after Patel, the employment minister, claimed both the suffragettes and leave campaigners were fighters for democratic freedom. Helen Pankhurst said it was “unacceptable” to use her ancestor’s achievements to promote Brexit, after Patel, the employment minister, claimed the suffragettes and leave campaigners were fighters for democratic freedom.
In a speech to launch the Women for Britain campaign, Patel was due to say: “As a suffragette, Pankhurst fought for the rights of women to have a vote, a voice and a say in how their society is governed and who governs it. In a speech to launch the Women for Britain campaign, Patel was due to say: “As a suffragette, Pankhurst fought for the rights of women to have a vote, a voice and a say in how their society is governed and who governs it. In many ways, Women for Britain are fighting for the same cause. The suffragettes fought for our democratic freedom. Now we are the ones who must fight to protect it.
“In many ways, Women for Britain are fighting for the same cause. The suffragettes fought for our democratic freedom. Now we are the ones who must fight to protect it.
“Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragettes did not fight to have the right to vote on who governs them only to then see those decisions surrendered to the EU’s undemocratic institutions and political elite.”“Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragettes did not fight to have the right to vote on who governs them only to then see those decisions surrendered to the EU’s undemocratic institutions and political elite.”
But Pankhurst said she did not believe the aims of the Brexit campaign were in the same spirit as the suffragette movement.But Pankhurst said she did not believe the aims of the Brexit campaign were in the same spirit as the suffragette movement.
“My great-grandmother fought tirelessly for women’s rights and dedicated her life to making sure women could live their lives free from discrimination. It is unacceptable to use her achievements to argue for something that is so out of line with the spirit of international solidarity that defined the suffragette movement.“My great-grandmother fought tirelessly for women’s rights and dedicated her life to making sure women could live their lives free from discrimination. It is unacceptable to use her achievements to argue for something that is so out of line with the spirit of international solidarity that defined the suffragette movement.
“To the contrary – I believe that my great-grandmother would have been the first to champion what the EU has meant for women – including equal pay and anti-discrimination laws.” “To the contrary, I believe that my great-grandmother would have been the first to champion what the EU has meant for women, including equal pay and anti-discrimination laws.”
Both the remain and leave campaigns were using International Women’s Day on Tuesday to try to encourage female voters to engage in the EU referendum, amid some evidence that more women than men are undecided about which side to back. The remain and leave campaigns were using International Women’s Day on Tuesday to try to encourage female voters to engage in the EU referendum, amid some evidence that more women than men are undecided about which side to back.
Andrea Leadsom, the Tory energy minister campaigning for Brexit, told the BBC’s Today programme that the debate had been too “male-dominated” so far and women needed to hear more about what it would mean for the cost of living and future of their children. Andrea Leadsom, the Tory energy minister campaigning for Brexit, told the BBC’s Today programme that the debate had been too “male-dominated” and women needed to hear more about what it would mean for the cost of living and future of their children.
On the other side, Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, and Yvette Cooper, the former Labour leadership candidate, appeared in a video about what the EU has done for women’s rights.On the other side, Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, and Yvette Cooper, the former Labour leadership candidate, appeared in a video about what the EU has done for women’s rights.
Morgan said it contributed to safeguarding parental leave, tackling discrimination in the workplace, and bringing an end to violence against women and girls.Morgan said it contributed to safeguarding parental leave, tackling discrimination in the workplace, and bringing an end to violence against women and girls.
“A vote to leave would put all of this at risk, which is why I am proud to play my part in this video to help demonstrate to women across the UK how each one of us benefits from our seat at the top table,” she said.“A vote to leave would put all of this at risk, which is why I am proud to play my part in this video to help demonstrate to women across the UK how each one of us benefits from our seat at the top table,” she said.
Cooper also highlighted Europe-wide guarantees on maternity leave and protections against discrimination at work, saying they are “good for British women and for British businesses who want to do the right thing but don’t want to be undercut when operating in Europe”.Cooper also highlighted Europe-wide guarantees on maternity leave and protections against discrimination at work, saying they are “good for British women and for British businesses who want to do the right thing but don’t want to be undercut when operating in Europe”.