In October, Bedford alumna and former Chair of Council, Dame Margaret Hodge MP, spoke to The Bedford Society about her fascinating life in politics.

Margaret visited the Bedford Society on a tumultuous day in politics, just hours after Liz Truss had resigned as Prime Minister.  She took us on an intriguing journey through her life in politics, and was self deprecating and amusing. Margaret admitted that she had not been the most diligent of students; she came to recognise that her talents lay in taking practical action. She was impatient with too much theorising. Her accomplishments are testament to that discovery. 

During her many years on Islington council she demonstrated an acute understanding that politics is about addressing local concerns first and foremost. She would invite people to join her for a cup of coffee, and really listened to their concerns. Then she set about finding solutions. She deployed similar tactics when confronting the BNP in Essex later, after becoming an MP in 1994. 

Margaret also touched on the challenges facing higher education, including the need for taking on international students as an economic necessity. She also commented on the position of women in the workplace, describing advances made in maternity provision but aware that there is still much to be done. Like a true leader she left us with a message of hope, that in spite of all the grim news there is still much to be thankful for. 

By Louisa Warren (French & German, 1984)