Activism, Feminism, Politics and Parliament

by Margaret Wilson

Margaret Wilson has always lived a political life. From her days as a child growing up in the Waikato in a Catholic family attuned to fairness, an unlikely law student in the 1960s in a class with a few other women, and an emerging socialist feminist who read radical texts and attended women's conventions, her key concerns became cemented the rights of women and equality for all under the law. This is the story of one of New Zealand's most eminent political actors. A policy-focused campaigner, reluctant to join a political tribe and uncomfortable with the combative attitudes and personal jockeying that politics seemed to entail, Wilson nevertheless rose to become the president of the Labour Party during the turbulent mid-1980s. Going on to become a central, far-sighted, occasionally controversial minister in the Clark government, Wilson held significant roles as Attorney-General and Speaker of the House. Activism, Feminism, Politics and Parliament is a powerful analysis of political life in New Zealand over four decades. From pay equity to a home-grown Supreme Court, employment relations legislation to paid parental leave, the policies Wilson championed were based always in the long-held principles of a true conviction politician.

Genres: Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2021

About the author

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Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This account by Margaret Wilson on her life spent advancing equality for women is a very interesting and well-written book, and as always it's astounding to be reminded of just how recent this history is.

This book could almost be used as a manual for how to progress issues and is a very good insight into how parliament makes laws. In this age when most people seem jaded and cynical about politics and democracy this book is a good reminder that our democratic system does work, albeit slowly. That slowness is intensified when the people trying to bring about change are not the ones entrenched in power, but given enough committed, hardworking and organised people change is possible. This gives hope for other marginalised groups still fighting for equality and for women to continue the fight.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very interesting. I spent some of my teenage years in Morrinsville living next door to the Wilsons. Margaret was 6 years older than me so I saw little of her but our families held similar views on politics - Labour Party for generations. I remember our mothers having conversations over the fence. I was not aware of the prejudice against the family for being Catholic but I was brought up in a family where prejudice was an anathema. I was quite appalled to read that. I have been aware of Margaret Wilson's contributions towards empowering women in areas of power and in the workplace. I remember vividly the time the positions of Prime Minister, Attorney-General (Margaret Wilson), Chief Justice and the Governor General were all held by women. This empowered a lot of us. The final chapter has a very good analysis of the damage done by neo-liberalism in the 1980s. The knee-jerk reaction of voting in 'populist' people in the 2010s around the world has had a very bad outcome, particularly when trying to deal with a pandemic. She also discusses how to get more voter participation, especially from younger people. A very good account of a life of service and a commitment to improving the lives of all within the realms of politics. A very good read.