Liz Cooper

Liz Cooper has worked in publishing for over 30 years. In the 70s she worked on the paper Shrew, the magazine Red Rag, and the Women’s Liberation Newsletter. She worked for 4 years for PDC, a radical publishing and distribution co-operative before moving on to the New Statesman in the 80s and briefly News on Sunday. She now lives in Northern Spain. Follow her on twitter @LizAnneCo.

The Liberty Train: "Because I Decide"

A women’s group on the northern coast of Spain devised a plan to fill a train full of protestors against Government proposals to reform the abortion law by destroying a woman’s right to decide. “El Tren de la Libertad” - destination Madrid - was the result. Liz Cooper got on board at Valladolid.

By Liz Cooper

/ 10 Feb 2014

Spain: national television, government tool?

The Spanish government's determination to manipulate public television and treat viewers as idiots is backfiring. Liz Cooper reports on the response of the private sector, backed by social networks and free press

By Liz Cooper

/ 19 Aug 2013

Spain: ruled by habit?

Anger amongst the Spanish electorate is rising fast amidst the dramatic events in a long-running corruption case implicating the Spanish Government. Liz Cooper says that above all the Spanish want stability, but where stability lies is now uncertain...

By Liz Cooper

/ 22 Jul 2013

"Doublethink": the latest threat to women's rights in Spain

George Orwell’s “1984” is alive and well in Spain as the Minister for Justice talks- up plans to deny women the right to an abortion, says Liz Cooper

By Liz Cooper

/ 18 Jun 2013

Spain: redefining democracy?

The Spanish prefer to describe themselves as picaresque or roguish, but the arrogance of the rich and endemic corruption in post-Franco Spain is changing attitudes. Liz Cooper says that volcanic change is on the way

By Liz Cooper

/ 6 May 2013

The politics of sexual harassment in Spain

A scandal related to women’s rights and the socialist party in Spain, PSOE, broke out last month on International Women’s Day. Liz Cooper looks at a case of sexual harassment by politicians at work that is at the heart of the current row in the PSOE.

By Liz Cooper

/ 8 Apr 2013

Ex-President Zapatero : the fate of the new political man

As a "convinced and proud feminist" José Luis Rodrigues Zapatero opted for feminist strategies and policies as a means of furthering democracy. Liz Cooper suggests his failure to be recognised is because in a patriarchal society, equal rights for women, homosexuals, the old and dependent, are not

By Liz Cooper

/ 6 Mar 2013

Who will decide the future of Spain ?

Accusations of corruption against members of the “Partido Popular” far outstrip previous corruption scandals involving Government members. Liz Cooper asks whether the technically independent Judiciary will keep faith with the people, hold its nerve and bring the cases to court without delay to be

By Liz Cooper

/ 11 Feb 2013

On the streets in Spain: not only the homeless

The monarchy, the political and economic systems, even the judiciary and the church appear to be failing the people of Spain as they face what amounts to a right-wing coup by a Government that legislates by decree. Their only option seems to be to protest on the streets, says Liz Cooper.

By Liz Cooper

/ 14 Jan 2013

No more 'machismo': domestic violence in the political arena

Domestic violence in Spain can’t be blamed on ‘machismo’ argues Liz Cooper. When the statistics show Spain is just like other countries, Spanish feminists argue that it's time to get beyond the stereotype of a macho culture and see violence against women as a political issue.

By Liz Cooper

/ 30 Nov 2012

Spain: from 'los indignados' and '15 M' to the first strike by society

400,000 evictions, a hunger strike by Carmen Armaña, and the suicide of Amaia Egaña as the eviction police came up the stairs to put her family out on the street, have brought mass anger and fury at unjust political and financial decisions in Spain, says Liz Cooper

By Liz Cooper

/ 21 Nov 2012

Abortion rights in Spain: back to the past

Spain's conservative right is taking the opportunity whilst in power at a time of economic crisis to revive its historic determination to suppress women's reproductive rights, putting the clock back nearly 30 years when abortion was first decriminalised

By Liz Cooper

/ 9 Oct 2012