Vera Baird DBE KC

Writer, Lecturer, Parliamentary Consultant and Co-Director of Astraea: Gender Justice

Category: SPEECHES

  • BAIRD SLAMS CPS

    Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird QC responds to reports that Prosecutors have been urged to ditch “weak” rape cases to improve figures. Dame Vera Baird said “This approach is completely hostile to the principle of access to justice. The point of the CPS is to bring fair prosecutions, not to deliberately avoid…

  • William Wilberforce and UK commitment to combat modern slavery.

    On Wednesday, a wreath laying service at Westminster Abbey to commemorate the work of William Wilberforce and to mark the United Kingdom\’s commitment to combat modern slavery will take place, sadly, I can\’t be present. Below is a letter of support I sent to Commissioner Kevin Hyland, Anti-Slavery Commissioner. 10th October 2016 Dear Commissioner, I…

  • Emily Wilding Davison’s Birthday

    Emily Wilding Davison Emily Wilding Davison was born on 11th Oct 1872, she was one of the most famous suffragettes – she defied the odds many times, she stood up for what she believed in, even when women could not gain a degree from Oxford University, her result exam result was a first class honours.…

  • VERA BAIRD WELCOMES SUPPORT FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY ASB IN SOUTH TYNESIDE

    A support team to help those affected by anti-social behaviour has been established in South Tyneside. South Tyneside Council in partnership with South Tyneside Homes have recruited a group of five volunteers to provide support to victims across the Borough. The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Richard Porthouse, presented the volunteers with certificates to celebrate…

  • Challenges Facing Policing.

    When the House of Commons returns, one of the first jobs MPs will have to do is to respond to George Osborne’s proposed cuts of up to 40% to government departments. If the Home Office is faced with a 40% cut to its budget, it will have devastating effects on how we police Northumbria. Be…

  • Male Victims of Domestic Violence Supported by Commissioner Funding

    More male victims of domestic abuse will receive help and support following funding from Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird. Commissioner Baird has awarded £2,000 to Community Counselling Cooperative from her Supporting Victims Fund – a fund set up and made available to organisations that have the aim of helping victims cope and recover…

  • Northumbria Police – Top 100 employer for LGBT people.

    Northumbria Police has been recognised as one of the top 100 employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain. The news, which was welcomed by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird, comes as it was revealed Northumbria Police ranked 85th in the 2015 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index – the first time the force…

  • Address to Commonwealth Journalists’ Association Conference, Malta 2012

    Feb 1st 2012 The Culture, Practice and Ethics of the Press is the title of the Leveson Inquiry, set up to deal with the phone hacking scandal. So let us turn away from press restraint, oppressive laws, the persecution of journalists in the Commonwealth, on which you so proudly campaign, and consider the ethical issues…

  • Vera’s speech at the Fabians New Year Conference 2012

    Vera was delighted to speak at Fabians New Year Conference 14th January 2012In the morning breakout group: Women The Crisis and Politics Vera shared a platform with Polly Toynbee, Seema Malhotra MP and David Coats, Research Fellow of the Smith Institute. “The first point I wish to make is that we discuss the financial crisis…

  • National Conference: Understanding the New Guidance on Domestic Homicide Reviews

    Vera spoke at a National Conference in Nottingham on \”Understanding the New Guidance on Domestic Homicide Reviews\”. Here are the slides: Domestic Homicide Reviews-21st Sept. 2011.