Singing in the Streets

MARIA FYFE was the only female Labour MP from Scotland when she was first elected in 1987. She was an MP for fourteen years for Glasgow Maryhill. In that time, she campaigned for poverty stricken areas of the city in Parliament before stepping down in 2001. She has always been strongly politically active, campaigning for the equal representation of women in government.

One woman’s chronicle of her battles on behalf of her class, and in particular, women of her class – an insight to what to expect if you follow the same path. Victories, defeats, compromises... It’s also proof, in the beautifully lyrical early chapters about her childhood, that within the warrior beats the heart of a poet. Highly recommended! DAVE ANDERSON, Actor and Playwright

• Acknowledgements 9The Cover 11Preface 13Chapter 1 War Baby 17Chapter 2 ‘Yes! We Have No Bananas’ 31Chapter 3 ‘Oh, My Papa’ 45Chapter 4 ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’ 59Chapter 5 ‘We’re All Going on a Summer Holiday’ 73Chapter 6 ‘St Trinian’s, St Trinian’s’ 87Chapter 7 ‘Let’s Go to the Hop’ 101Chapter 8 ‘Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, It’s Off to Work We Go’ 123Chapter 9 ‘It’s My Party’ 137Chapter 10 ‘H-Bomb’s Thunder’ 151Chapter 11 ‘We’re no’ awa’ tae bide awa’’ 165Chapter 12 ‘Take Me Home’ 179Chapter 13 ‘Raise the Scarlet Standard High’ 193Chapter 14 ‘Which Side Are You On?’ 207Postscript 221