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Woman's Hour: My friend Theresa May, Jane Austen, Summer solstice

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21/06/2017

My friend Theresa May, Jane Austen, Summer solstice

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, My friend Theresa May, Jane Austen, Summer solstice

Dame Caroline Spelman MP talks about her friend Theresa May.

Why do we think of Jane Austen as cosy? We discuss her fascination with war, money and risky romance. And Dame Caroline Spelman MP talks about her friend Theresa May.

After a disappointing general election, three terror attacks in as many weeks and criticism over her handling of the Grenfell Tower fire - Theresa May's critics are calling her future into question. Dame Caroline Spelman MP entered Parliament in 1997, the same year as the Prime Minister. Dame Spelman is here to talk about her friend and colleague Theresa May. 

The image that we have of Jane Austen and her work is frequently one of cosy domesticity, country houses, English restraint and propriety. And this endures despite the fact that Austen's novels are usually set against the backdrop of war, revolve around serious money problems and often involve characters who behave extremely badly. Keen to explode the cosiness myth are Professor Emma Clery whose book, The Banker's Sister, explores the financial influences on Austen's life and work, and Professor Kathryn Sutherland who has curated an exhibition and written an accompanying book, Jane Austen: Writer in the World. 

We are celebrating summer solstice, the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Radio 4 is marking the change of season with a series of poems across the day. Joining us, the Northumberland poet Katrina Porteous who reads an extract from her poem Dunstanburgh.

The latest in our series about leaving prison, this is Roberta's story. After 20 years in and out of the system, Roberta is drug free and trying to make the most of the help available to her. Our reporter Milly Chowles joins the Through Care Team from HMP Cornton Vale who are helping Roberta with her methadone prescriptions, housing, budgeting and the terrible loneliness she feels.

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