So restful... Image: Shayan One of the peculiar things women spend their life having to contend is the idea that we are the purer, calmer, more peaceful sex. When a girl isn't diligent at her school work, or at least hand her homework in on time (or, in my case, at all) she's probably under the bad influence of some no good boy. If she isn't neat and reticent she's a tomboy.
I was quietly making a batch of beer mustard on a Friday evening, listening to Any Questions and one question made my cider vinegar (it's an ingredient) befuddled ears prick up. "Is it acceptable behaviour for MPs to act like school children in a playground in the House of Commons; what sort of example is it setting to our future generations?"
I was quietly making a batch of beer mustard on a Friday evening, listening to Any Questions and one question made my cider vinegar (it's an ingredient) befuddled ears prick up. "Is it acceptable behaviour for MPs to act like school children in a playground in the House of Commons; what sort of example is it setting to our future generations?"
Setting aside the peculiar concern that MPs set any kind of example to the kids glued to PMQs on TV, the know-all Aah-ing and fake guffawing and so on drive me crazy during PMQs. It puts me in mind of when class mates in primary school discovered sarcasm. Or 'sarcasm'. Responding to every statement or question with 'yes dear' or 'YEAH'. I don't believe sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but I do believe those responses are the lowest form of sarcasm. Basically every PMQs our MPs each become that drunk heckler and I'd be happy for it to be addressed.
What did the panel, consisting of Don Foster, Mary Creagh, Daniel Hannan, Mehdi Hasan think? Did they suggest a new Speaker, or new rules for the Speaker to enforce? A hands up policy perhaps. What about a PMQs talking stick, if you aren't holding the PMQs talking stick you can't utter a word.
No. The answer was, according to Don Foster and Mary Creagh... more women in politics.
What did the panel, consisting of Don Foster, Mary Creagh, Daniel Hannan, Mehdi Hasan think? Did they suggest a new Speaker, or new rules for the Speaker to enforce? A hands up policy perhaps. What about a PMQs talking stick, if you aren't holding the PMQs talking stick you can't utter a word.
No. The answer was, according to Don Foster and Mary Creagh... more women in politics.
| True, women MPs have expressed annoyance at behaviour at PMQs. But this is specific behaviour, such as being told by the right honourable gentleman who is also the Prime Minister to calm down dear. Or suggestions from the PM that you are 'frustrated' (ho, ho, ho). Mary Creagh mentioned the days of 1997 when sexist remarks would fly at the women known as Blair's Babes from the opposition, stating those days were very much in the past. | Perhaps there is less pissing in the doorways of the House of Commons, but only because it's very challenging to pop a squat in a power suit. |
I suppose the women in politics that capture our imagination are the slightly tragic heroines. Such as the admirably calm Aung San Suu Kyi, if only she'd could enter British politics, Prime Minister's Questions wouldn't be so rowdy.
We have the ball busting Hilary Clintons and Chancellor Angela Merkel, but we seem to think they are the sexless exception. I can't see a House of Commons full of Ann Widdecombes being calm and collected. Maggie Thatcher ordered the bombing of the Falklands which rather smashes the idea the fairer sex are incapable of belligerence in any form. Mo Mowlam lied about her health to Blair, so ambitious and passionate was she to get the position of Northern Ireland Secretary.
But no, let's go with this calm stereotype of women. The idea of women (wombs permitting) resisting hysteria and giving everyone a say. I have no idea what these people imagine a majority of women in parliament would be like. Passivity coursing through their very beings as they take to the benches for PMQs. No-one shouting. Instead, lots of "Harriet, I love you, but..." and "That's great hun, but the last time you guys were in government..." Rowdiness replaced with even less productive passive-aggressiveness.
It is very unhelpful to think of women as less capable than men to work in government. However it is also unhelpful to think of them as angelic nursie types who can swoop in and sort out the unsavoury. There will be crap women MPs, there will be good women MPs and there will be aggressive women MPs, through the inconvenient fact that women are human.
but only because it's very challenging to pop a squat in a power suit.
Yes we need more women in politics. But I bloody hope not simply to act as the school marm to the men's public school boy act.
Squeamish Kate
We have the ball busting Hilary Clintons and Chancellor Angela Merkel, but we seem to think they are the sexless exception. I can't see a House of Commons full of Ann Widdecombes being calm and collected. Maggie Thatcher ordered the bombing of the Falklands which rather smashes the idea the fairer sex are incapable of belligerence in any form. Mo Mowlam lied about her health to Blair, so ambitious and passionate was she to get the position of Northern Ireland Secretary.
But no, let's go with this calm stereotype of women. The idea of women (wombs permitting) resisting hysteria and giving everyone a say. I have no idea what these people imagine a majority of women in parliament would be like. Passivity coursing through their very beings as they take to the benches for PMQs. No-one shouting. Instead, lots of "Harriet, I love you, but..." and "That's great hun, but the last time you guys were in government..." Rowdiness replaced with even less productive passive-aggressiveness.
It is very unhelpful to think of women as less capable than men to work in government. However it is also unhelpful to think of them as angelic nursie types who can swoop in and sort out the unsavoury. There will be crap women MPs, there will be good women MPs and there will be aggressive women MPs, through the inconvenient fact that women are human.
but only because it's very challenging to pop a squat in a power suit.
Yes we need more women in politics. But I bloody hope not simply to act as the school marm to the men's public school boy act.
Squeamish Kate
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