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Nicola Sturgeon-does appearance matter?

(130 Posts)
trisher Sun 28-Apr-19 19:23:55

She strides onto the podium, her every movement is confident and controlled. She speaks with passion and authority and still manages to connect with her audience. How come we can't produce a politician with such panache?
Oh and she does selfies without looking as if it is all a set up.

SirChenjin Mon 29-Apr-19 17:48:38

Ahh right - so this is nothing about political achievements and simply about comparing two women in charge of governments in terms of how they present themselves? Got you.

trisher Mon 29-Apr-19 17:35:15

Incidently the two other politicians I would rank as as capable in the presentation game. as NS are Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. both of whom I hate. But they knew how to work the room.

trisher Mon 29-Apr-19 17:31:59

I do think SirChenjin* that I am able to judge things on more than one level and much as I may dislike TM's policies that is entirely seperate to looking at how these two women present themselves. NS undoubtedly was in her element at the party conference, but then TM surely should have been the same at hers. Instead she was as embarrassed as the rest of us when she came on to Abba. Why? And why hasn't she learned presentation in a lifetime in politics?

SirChenjin Mon 29-Apr-19 17:31:01

Here’s a thought for you mycat - it’s perfectly possible to be both ‘outraged’ (although I steer away from hyperbole so wouldn’t describe it as outrage) at the double standards when it comes to our judgment of male and female politicians AND to dislike a particular political viewpoint without conflating the two. I don’t dislike NS any more than I dislike any of the other political leaders actually - I think we’re faced with an absolute sh*tstorm whichever path we’re taken down by the most inept bunch of politicians in a long time.

I’m definitely a feminist though - you were right on the one. Loud and proud ? ?

Mycatisahacker Mon 29-Apr-19 16:36:46

Ah see where you are coming from then SirChenin come on don’t come into a thread and spout outraged feminism you really mean you dislike the woman for her politics. wink

I think Ruth Davidson very much I think she comes across as warm and very likeable. She has her own very nice style.

Confidence can he learnt and practised but doesn’t mean Nicola isn’t scared out of her wits in front of Andrew Neil. Who wouldn’t be

SirChenjin Mon 29-Apr-19 16:22:38

Less political bias and more fact smile

I think TM has managed to polarise the electorate in exactly the same way, don't you? Or are you simply starting from a different position in your (politically biased) views of TM v NS which may have shaped your opinion somewhat?

Day6 Mon 29-Apr-19 16:21:15

I really admire Ruth Davidson - she speaks well and confidently and has done wonders for the Conservatives north of the border. She is another confident woman who seems happy in her own skin.

It looks like May and the Brexit fiasco might have dented her chances in Scotland, and I believe she has ruled out leadership of the party as she returns from maternity leave. Her career was in the ascendancy. I wonder if she has peaked politically? I hope not. Another likeable and able woman in politics.

trisher Mon 29-Apr-19 16:05:38

Ooo SirChenjin do I sense a little political bias?
If NS is coached as you say why do you think TM hasn't managed the same level?

SirChenjin Mon 29-Apr-19 16:00:49

Trisher - NS is a consummate politician who has been coached and polished to within an inch of her life, who is surrounded with people who fervently in a political ideology, who's polarised this country, lost a significant number of seats at the last election and still doesn't have a majority support for indy (if you accept that the opinion polls are correct - which politicians generally do if it suits their cause).

If you were watching her stride on stage on Sunday then I imagine you were watching the SNP conference? If you want some balance have a look at her on some of the Andrew Neil interviews or when she's facing Ruth Davidson at Holyrood- relaxed and open she isn't.

Grandma70s Mon 29-Apr-19 15:37:15

PS I like her haircut, though. Just right for her size and looks.

Grandma70s Mon 29-Apr-19 15:32:46

To me NS is like a small aggressive dog, the sort that yaps a lot. I agree with some things she says, but can’t bear to listen to much of her voice.

Even if she is small, it is silly imo to wear very high heels. Far from making someone appear confident, it’s rather the reverse. A truly confident person would wear something more comfortable and less damaging.

trisher Mon 29-Apr-19 15:30:48

Why NS? well because I had just watched her on TV stride out and speak. And actually my original post didn't mention dress or hair. Just attitude and confidence. If others are more interested in that well that's up to them. It was the relaxed and open attitude that interested me. And she was doing selfies later without it appearng that she was doing it for the media. I'm not SNP although if they would just shift the border south a bit I might be.

SirChenjin Mon 29-Apr-19 14:57:47

There are a few - but nothing compared to the number of threads which scrutinise the image and physical appearance of female politicians and this comes up for regular criticism on Mumsnet as you'll know.

However my comment was about this thread. Why NS? Why not Leonard? Or any of the other male politicians? It's because women are judged on their appearance more critically that they are judged on delivery. It's 2019 FGS.

Or was this simply a pro SNP thread?

Mycatisahacker Mon 29-Apr-19 14:50:15

SirChenjinn

I have seen threads here and on mumsnet about the male image of politicians.

We can discuss both. Image is important it lost Foot credibility with his cenotaph donkey jacket.

The sll fair game to discuss

GabriellaG54 Mon 29-Apr-19 14:37:03

MawBroonsback
I'm off biscuits and yup...sheer dumb-cluckery it is if you say so.
I'm absolutely fine with absolutely anything anyone says about me...you should know that by now.
They're only words and I know my worth. I'm unable to be touched by criticism.

GabriellaG54 Mon 29-Apr-19 14:29:12

Yes...I would.

SirChenjin Mon 29-Apr-19 14:06:06

And what about the male politicians? Why focus specifically on what the women are wearing and doing with their hair?

Mycatisahacker Mon 29-Apr-19 14:01:55

I think she wears bright clothes as she’s short like the queen so easier to stand out in a crowd as you say.

Callistemon Mon 29-Apr-19 13:59:22

I think that Nicola Sturgeon may have taken a fashion tip from the Queen - wear bright colours so that you are noticed in a crowd. However, her shoes are nothing like HM's!

She always looks smart and neatly turned out and seems to have found out how to manage her hair too which looks the type of hair which needs a really good cut to be manageable.

Teresa May always looks nice too and seems to have abandoned those low-cut tops, and I suppose wears lower-heeled shoes because she is much taller.

Angela Merkel varies the colours but not the style - she has obviously found what works for her.

Gonegirl Mon 29-Apr-19 13:14:21

I think Theresa May usually looks very nice, although of course, she does sometimes seem to have the weight of the free world on her shoulders. Both of them look nice.

Mycatisahacker Mon 29-Apr-19 13:02:26

I think Theresa hasn’t got over being taller than the boys. She stoops. I think she dresses well actually and clearly loves clothes.

I like Nicolas style it’s neat and smart

paddyann Mon 29-Apr-19 12:53:43

seems some on here are still doing the personal insults when they cant find any REAL reason todislike her.The "wee jimmy crankie " tag is becoming old and worn.This YOUNG woman has and is doing a good job (I know you dont think so JANE) but the majority is still with her and the party numbers still growing .The grass roots are the ones leading the Independence movement ,Nicola is busy doing "the day job" while WM is tied in Brexit knots .Annie Nicola Sturgeon is the polar opposite of cold hearted ...she is the most caring woman as is shown by many of her policies and the way people of all ages love her ...and they do

Jabberwok Mon 29-Apr-19 12:42:14

Because they are completely different people! Like offspring, same stable but totally different in ideas and attitude!!

Jane10 Mon 29-Apr-19 12:41:15

I don't know why my phone changes is to us!!

Jane10 Mon 29-Apr-19 12:40:41

Mrs May has the weight of the world on her shoulders! She often wears blue which us a cold colour. I'm sure that once this us all over (oh glorious day!) and she's safely retired, she'll look much better.