Whoa Nellie - The Mock Parliament

In 1914, Nellie McClung and a delegation of her fellow suffragettes went to the provincial legislature to be heard on the topic of women voting. While they presented their best arguments in favour of suffrage, McClung found herself half-hoping that Premier Roblin would not be swayed. If he somehow changed his mind, after all, it would make her biting impression of him the very next night somewhat awkward.

In this episode we talk about the Manitoba suffrage movement's most famous piece of campaigning: the mock parliament presented at the Walker Theatre, a role-reversal in which women debated whether men ought to vote. We also talk about the problematic politics of Nellie McClung. (Spoiler: Alex has VERY mixed feelings.)