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| Why it's so dispiriting to be a female voter | |
| (1 day later) | |
| What a disappointing time it is to be a female voter in the UK. Thanks to Labour MP Austin Mitchell, we were treated to yet another sexist, nonsensical attack on female politicians – this time with the claim that women in politics are weaker and "gentler" than their male peers. | What a disappointing time it is to be a female voter in the UK. Thanks to Labour MP Austin Mitchell, we were treated to yet another sexist, nonsensical attack on female politicians – this time with the claim that women in politics are weaker and "gentler" than their male peers. |
| In an article for the Daily Mail, Mitchell wrote that the "feminisation and youthification" of parliament would lead to a Commons "more preoccupied with the local rather than the international … and small problems rather than big ideas and issues". He also declared that a Labour party with more female MPs would be less tough: "Apart from obsessive feminism, women MPs are more amenable and leadable." | In an article for the Daily Mail, Mitchell wrote that the "feminisation and youthification" of parliament would lead to a Commons "more preoccupied with the local rather than the international … and small problems rather than big ideas and issues". He also declared that a Labour party with more female MPs would be less tough: "Apart from obsessive feminism, women MPs are more amenable and leadable." |
| As voters digested Mitchell's sweeping generalisations, news emerged that the Liberal Democrats had reinstated Lord Rennard's party membership after disciplinary proceedings against him over alleged sexual harassment were dropped. An earlier investigation by Alistair Webster QC had concluded that the allegations were "broadly credible" but could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt. His report urged the peer to "reflect upon the effect that his behaviour has had and the distress which it caused and that an apology would be appropriate". | As voters digested Mitchell's sweeping generalisations, news emerged that the Liberal Democrats had reinstated Lord Rennard's party membership after disciplinary proceedings against him over alleged sexual harassment were dropped. An earlier investigation by Alistair Webster QC had concluded that the allegations were "broadly credible" but could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt. His report urged the peer to "reflect upon the effect that his behaviour has had and the distress which it caused and that an apology would be appropriate". |
| With these and David Cameron's "Calm down, dear" Conservatives making up our three major political parties, female voters are left between a rock and a hard place. | With these and David Cameron's "Calm down, dear" Conservatives making up our three major political parties, female voters are left between a rock and a hard place. |
| Of course, Mitchell doesn't speak for his whole party. Labour and Co-operative MP Stella Creasy took a valiant stand against his accusations on Newsnight, pointing out the downright lack of logic behind accusing 50% of the population of having identical professional traits. But where is the strong, uncompromising condemnation of remarks such as these from the highest levels of politics? Where is the clear communication from party leaders that misogyny will not be tolerated? | Of course, Mitchell doesn't speak for his whole party. Labour and Co-operative MP Stella Creasy took a valiant stand against his accusations on Newsnight, pointing out the downright lack of logic behind accusing 50% of the population of having identical professional traits. But where is the strong, uncompromising condemnation of remarks such as these from the highest levels of politics? Where is the clear communication from party leaders that misogyny will not be tolerated? |
| It is dispiriting, to say the least, as a female voter, to read an article criticising a party for being "crammed" with female politicians when it has reached the dizzying heights of a roughly 30:70 gender split. | It is dispiriting, to say the least, as a female voter, to read an article criticising a party for being "crammed" with female politicians when it has reached the dizzying heights of a roughly 30:70 gender split. |
| A statement did eventually emerge distancing the Labour party from Mitchell's comments, but a spokesperson initially responding to the incident reportedly tried to avoid commenting on the "specifics" of his article at all. In the absence of any apparent censure, he has become a repeat offender. | A statement did eventually emerge distancing the Labour party from Mitchell's comments, but a spokesperson initially responding to the incident reportedly tried to avoid commenting on the "specifics" of his article at all. In the absence of any apparent censure, he has become a repeat offender. |
| In the case of the Liberal Democrats, too, there seems little will to take action. After Webster's unclear conclusions – the instruction that Rennard should apologise; the description of the women's claims as "credible"; and the unhelpful framing of the matter within the legal requirements of a criminal conviction – the matter feels far from resolved. But the message this latest step sends is that the party would rather brush it (and the women who came forward) under the carpet for the sake of appearances than consider tackling a repeatedly reported culture of subtle sexism head on. Susan Gaszczak, a former Liberal Democrat activist who made an allegation of inappropriate touching against Lord Rennard, said: "They say we are credible, then fail to act on it and don't see the impact this has on women and women voters." | In the case of the Liberal Democrats, too, there seems little will to take action. After Webster's unclear conclusions – the instruction that Rennard should apologise; the description of the women's claims as "credible"; and the unhelpful framing of the matter within the legal requirements of a criminal conviction – the matter feels far from resolved. But the message this latest step sends is that the party would rather brush it (and the women who came forward) under the carpet for the sake of appearances than consider tackling a repeatedly reported culture of subtle sexism head on. Susan Gaszczak, a former Liberal Democrat activist who made an allegation of inappropriate touching against Lord Rennard, said: "They say we are credible, then fail to act on it and don't see the impact this has on women and women voters." |
| Yes, I'm extrapolating from these specific cases to a wider sense of feminist disillusionment with UK politics. But it's difficult not to feel weary. These are not isolated incidents. Female MPs have repeatedly criticised the "boys' club" atmosphere of Westminster. One was ridiculed for objecting to a "top totty" beer being sold in the Commons bar. Another faced sniggers in PMQs when she tried to object to the Sun with its topless Page 3 being sold on the parliamentary estate. Another was interrupted by men making growling noises and pouncing gestures when she stood up to speak in a leopard-print jacket. In the Irish parliament, a male MP apologised after physically pulling a female colleague on to his lap during a debate on abortion. A Scottish female MP withdrew from a select committee after she said a male colleague threatened to "give her a doing" if discussions were leaked to the media. And at a more local level, example after example continues to emerge of casual sexism from party councillors. | Yes, I'm extrapolating from these specific cases to a wider sense of feminist disillusionment with UK politics. But it's difficult not to feel weary. These are not isolated incidents. Female MPs have repeatedly criticised the "boys' club" atmosphere of Westminster. One was ridiculed for objecting to a "top totty" beer being sold in the Commons bar. Another faced sniggers in PMQs when she tried to object to the Sun with its topless Page 3 being sold on the parliamentary estate. Another was interrupted by men making growling noises and pouncing gestures when she stood up to speak in a leopard-print jacket. In the Irish parliament, a male MP apologised after physically pulling a female colleague on to his lap during a debate on abortion. A Scottish female MP withdrew from a select committee after she said a male colleague threatened to "give her a doing" if discussions were leaked to the media. And at a more local level, example after example continues to emerge of casual sexism from party councillors. |
| What chance is there of any of this ceasing if leadership doesn't come from the top?It is not just party behaviour letting women down, but policy too. Cuts to public sector jobs, benefits and public services had a disproportionate impact on women. The introduction of tribunal fees dramatically reduced the number of women able to challenge maternity discrimination. The Chartered Management Institute reported that female managers over 40 earn 35% less than men. The UK has still not ratified the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. | What chance is there of any of this ceasing if leadership doesn't come from the top?It is not just party behaviour letting women down, but policy too. Cuts to public sector jobs, benefits and public services had a disproportionate impact on women. The introduction of tribunal fees dramatically reduced the number of women able to challenge maternity discrimination. The Chartered Management Institute reported that female managers over 40 earn 35% less than men. The UK has still not ratified the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. |
| Yet it is precisely the sexist comments of politicians such as Mitchell that prove the need for more women in parliament. The first party to get its act together might just find itself winning a whole new wave of voters. | Yet it is precisely the sexist comments of politicians such as Mitchell that prove the need for more women in parliament. The first party to get its act together might just find itself winning a whole new wave of voters. |