Here:
A Labour MP has accused Tories of orchestrating
abuse during Commons debates against northern female counterparts because of
their accents.
Pat Glass, who represents Durham North West, said it was not just older Tories who were guilty of barracking Labour women, and blamed the macho Westminster culture.
In an interview with the Sunday Sun newspaper, she said new South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck was also singled out "because of her Sarah Millican-style accent".
Glass told the Press Association: "The hardest thing I found going into Parliament was the culture.
"If I had gone to an all boys public school I would have fitted in, but I didn't.
"What I found is if a woman gets to speak, particularly women with an accent, then there is orchestrated barracking.
"You don't get to see it on television because the camera is fixed on the person who is speaking and not on the orchestrated response.
"I get the impression they think women who are northerners should not be there."
In one debate Glass broke off from speaking to highlight the problem, and the Deputy Speaker Dawn Primarolo intervened.
She feared the atmosphere was putting off women from playing an active role in politics - but that nothing will change until more women become MPs.
Pat Glass, who represents Durham North West, said it was not just older Tories who were guilty of barracking Labour women, and blamed the macho Westminster culture.
In an interview with the Sunday Sun newspaper, she said new South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck was also singled out "because of her Sarah Millican-style accent".
Glass told the Press Association: "The hardest thing I found going into Parliament was the culture.
"If I had gone to an all boys public school I would have fitted in, but I didn't.
"What I found is if a woman gets to speak, particularly women with an accent, then there is orchestrated barracking.
"You don't get to see it on television because the camera is fixed on the person who is speaking and not on the orchestrated response.
"I get the impression they think women who are northerners should not be there."
In one debate Glass broke off from speaking to highlight the problem, and the Deputy Speaker Dawn Primarolo intervened.
She feared the atmosphere was putting off women from playing an active role in politics - but that nothing will change until more women become MPs.
This is a good argument for why the gentler sex just aren't suited to the hurly burly of Parliamentary politics.
ReplyDeleteTell that to Pat.
ReplyDeleteGo on.
I dare you.
I'd happily do so if I was in Parliament.
ReplyDeleteBut she'd probably whinge to Dawn Primarolo about it.
Same thing happening now in the fire brigades.
My mate tells me they're scared of making a joke in case they get suspended or taken to a tribunal for "harassment".
If women can't hack the banter , they shouldn't join up.
What a fascinating insight into your view of the proper tone of parliamentary debate. Thank heavens that your party is never going to win a seat.
ReplyDeleteA couple of points (I'm a new anon comment person, not sure you can tell or not haha)
ReplyDelete1. Good on Pat for highlighting this, however, does women MPs NEVER barrack others? Not sure.
2. Disagree that if parliament has more female MPs the world would be rosy as there are as many bad eggs in women than in men.
3. Agree with general principle of good behaviour, but politics is politics and now they know it bothers her, Pat will get a LOT more of it.
Anonymous seems to think that only thugs should get into parliament. Is he a conservative, perchance?
ReplyDelete