By Jess McCabe | 15 August 2009, 11:29

Francine Hoenderkamp explains her campaign to ban Page 3

Dear Clare,

I have just finished reading your book and it has inspired me to start my own campaign against Page 3. I would love to discuss this with you as I would hugely value your opinions or advice.

Dear Francine,

I would be happy to meet for a coffee if you would find this useful.

When Clare Short introduced her private member’s bill in the House of Commons in 1986, calling for the eradication of Page 3 and other pornographic images from our newspapers, it was followed by a barrage of public interest and outrage. Despite her arguments and public support, it was never taken seriously by the male dominated old-school Parliament types and the bill was thrown out. Regardless of this, she went on to publish a book documenting the experience (Dear Clare … this is what women feel about Page 3) which partly inspired my own campaign, so I was elated that she agreed to share her expertise with me on this issue.

Nearly 40 years on, Page 3 is as popular as ever. Girls in their thousands aspire to be topless models and enter in their droves when The Sun runs competitions to find the next ‘Page 3 Idol’. But where does this archaic symbol of sexism fit into modern Britain and why does it still exist?

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