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Women urged to speak up to counter male-dominated EU debate Women urged to speak up to counter male-dominated EU debate
(6 months later)
Britain’s women are being urged to “stand up and make some noise” in the run-up to the EU referendum, as polling data suggests they are more likely to have yet to decide how they will vote.Britain’s women are being urged to “stand up and make some noise” in the run-up to the EU referendum, as polling data suggests they are more likely to have yet to decide how they will vote.
The leave and remain campaigns are creating pressure groups led by women in an attempt to counter a debate largely dominated by middle-aged men.The leave and remain campaigns are creating pressure groups led by women in an attempt to counter a debate largely dominated by middle-aged men.
Related: Women could decide the EU referendum, and they don’t want the Dave and Boris show | Mary Creagh
June Sarpong from ITV’s Loose Women will be one of the faces of Women IN, a pressure group making the argument for the UK to remain part of the EU after 23 June. Other high-profile supporters include Ruth Rogers, chef and owner of the River Café, and Megan Dunn, the president of the National Union of Students.June Sarpong from ITV’s Loose Women will be one of the faces of Women IN, a pressure group making the argument for the UK to remain part of the EU after 23 June. Other high-profile supporters include Ruth Rogers, chef and owner of the River Café, and Megan Dunn, the president of the National Union of Students.
Brexit campaigners are creating a rival organisation, Women for Britain.Brexit campaigners are creating a rival organisation, Women for Britain.
Sarpong said the overwhelming impression that many women would have gained of the Brexiteers was of “angry men”.Sarpong said the overwhelming impression that many women would have gained of the Brexiteers was of “angry men”.
“I encourage everyone to speak up and make some noise about this,” she said. “What’s clear about the other side is that there are a lot of angry men shouting about things, but not being willing to say what out would actually look like.”“I encourage everyone to speak up and make some noise about this,” she said. “What’s clear about the other side is that there are a lot of angry men shouting about things, but not being willing to say what out would actually look like.”
Matthew Goodwin, a professor of politics at the University of Kent, said: “There’s a little bit of evidence that suggests the softer voters in the referendum, people who say they may change their minds, are more likely to be women.” Of these undecided voters, he said, “there is some evidence that they may be more motivated by risk and economic insecurity”.Matthew Goodwin, a professor of politics at the University of Kent, said: “There’s a little bit of evidence that suggests the softer voters in the referendum, people who say they may change their minds, are more likely to be women.” Of these undecided voters, he said, “there is some evidence that they may be more motivated by risk and economic insecurity”.
Women are almost twice as likely to answer “don’t know” in most EU referendum polls; and while 43% of men are certain which way they will vote, that drops to just 29% of women.Women are almost twice as likely to answer “don’t know” in most EU referendum polls; and while 43% of men are certain which way they will vote, that drops to just 29% of women.
Recent analysis by the thinktank British Future suggested that, “intriguingly, women may be more Eurosceptic than men” and yet they are also “more difficult to persuade to vote for leave”. In addition it pointed out that women have tended to be less persuaded by the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage. “When asked how much they trust a series of different politicians when they talk about Britain’s membership of the EU, 41% of men say they trust Nigel Farage, but only 31% of women agree.”Recent analysis by the thinktank British Future suggested that, “intriguingly, women may be more Eurosceptic than men” and yet they are also “more difficult to persuade to vote for leave”. In addition it pointed out that women have tended to be less persuaded by the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage. “When asked how much they trust a series of different politicians when they talk about Britain’s membership of the EU, 41% of men say they trust Nigel Farage, but only 31% of women agree.”
With up to fifth of the electorate still undecided, according to the latest polls, “don’t knows” could be crucial in determining the result. Polling evidence suggests that women are more likely to be swayed by arguments about the economic risks of their decision, for jobs, livelihoods and families.With up to fifth of the electorate still undecided, according to the latest polls, “don’t knows” could be crucial in determining the result. Polling evidence suggests that women are more likely to be swayed by arguments about the economic risks of their decision, for jobs, livelihoods and families.
However, most of the prominent voices in the campaign, including Boris Johnson, David Cameron, Alan Johnson and Nigel Farage, are male. “This referendum debate has thus far been dominated by men in suits,” said Frances O’Grady, the general secretary of the TUC. “We’ve not heard from ordinary workers – and we’ve barely heard from any women at all.”However, most of the prominent voices in the campaign, including Boris Johnson, David Cameron, Alan Johnson and Nigel Farage, are male. “This referendum debate has thus far been dominated by men in suits,” said Frances O’Grady, the general secretary of the TUC. “We’ve not heard from ordinary workers – and we’ve barely heard from any women at all.”
Seema Malhotra, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said the adversarial tone of the debate, with Johnson dismissing Cameron’s arguments as “baloney” and the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, claiming that the prime minister had a “low opinion of the British people”, would have alienated many women.Seema Malhotra, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said the adversarial tone of the debate, with Johnson dismissing Cameron’s arguments as “baloney” and the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, claiming that the prime minister had a “low opinion of the British people”, would have alienated many women.
She is forming a group of Labour women to make the case in different terms, which feel more relevant to the lives of female voters. “I am talking to colleagues at Westminster and the wider Labour movement about how we fill the gap,” she said. “We need an inclusive campaign offering a positive vision of how the EU is vital for the prosperity and security of British families.”She is forming a group of Labour women to make the case in different terms, which feel more relevant to the lives of female voters. “I am talking to colleagues at Westminster and the wider Labour movement about how we fill the gap,” she said. “We need an inclusive campaign offering a positive vision of how the EU is vital for the prosperity and security of British families.”
However, the leave campaign has ridiculed this approach, arguing that any future government would be likely to choose to keep much of the legislation that has furthered the cause of gender equality.However, the leave campaign has ridiculed this approach, arguing that any future government would be likely to choose to keep much of the legislation that has furthered the cause of gender equality.
“We need to combat this idea that it’s the EU that is responsible for the last 40 years of sexual equality,” a spokesman said.“We need to combat this idea that it’s the EU that is responsible for the last 40 years of sexual equality,” a spokesman said.
Not everyone is convinced that women are more likely to be waverers as June approaches. James Morris of pollsters Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research said: “Men are less likely to say ‘don’t know’ in surveys, no matter what the topic is. That doesn’t mean men are less likely to be swing voters, it just shows that they like to look confident in their opinions to pollsters.”Not everyone is convinced that women are more likely to be waverers as June approaches. James Morris of pollsters Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research said: “Men are less likely to say ‘don’t know’ in surveys, no matter what the topic is. That doesn’t mean men are less likely to be swing voters, it just shows that they like to look confident in their opinions to pollsters.”