Sue Gray's report said “The excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time."

The new topic is here

IMO no one should be drinking during their working day! Especially those in the HOP.

This is taking the thread off topic. I will set one up about Tory Banter and the women that support it elsewhere.

the men used to banter at my old workplace about viagra and prostitutes and whole demeanor of banter of a sexual nature. It is gross

‘Banter’ - how often do we hear offensive comments dismissed as banter, when in reality they’re deeply racist for example

The women on MN dont want be wasting their working time dealing with banter. They have better things to do.

Of course all women aren’t innocent but that does NOT mean Angela Raynor is guilty ! Where is the evidence that there is “more to this “? Still not seen any ……

growstuff

Katie59

I’m not defending men, what happened I have no idea but the sort of male banter that I hear regularly, could easily lead to that situation. It’s what men do and I’m happy to return the banter in equal measure, doesn’t bother me one jot.

Have you ever been in the situation where men have been "bantering" but the female object of it isn't so robust as you? Do you stand up for the woman or do you think she should toughen up?

It’s not normally personal comments, just women in general, so I don’t foresee an upset, they either let it go or respond aggressively and the young women are very capable of that. If you ever look at Mumsnet there aren’t too many shrinking violets there.

Katie59

I’m not defending men, what happened I have no idea but the sort of male banter that I hear regularly, could easily lead to that situation. It’s what men do and I’m happy to return the banter in equal measure, doesn’t bother me one jot.

Have you ever been in the situation where men have been "bantering" but the female object of it isn't so robust as you? Do you stand up for the woman or do you think she should toughen up?

I’m not defending men, what happened I have no idea but the sort of male banter that I hear regularly, could easily lead to that situation. It’s what men do and I’m happy to return the banter in equal measure, doesn’t bother me one jot.

Katie59. I am delighted that the character assassination of Ms Rayner has backfired on the Conservative Party. Not because I am a Labour supporter but because I am a woman and abhor the male sexist behaviour that they have been getting away with since time immemorial.
How can you defend them?

The idea that not all women are 'totally innocent' so all women must be treated as guilty comes from the Garden of Eden myth which has been used to oppress women for thousands of years.

It isn’t a question if women always being entirely innocent. It’s the impact of male dominated culture

Katie59

So all women are totally innocent, we all know that isn’t true.

There is a lot more to the story than than crossing legs in the HoC.

In any case gamesmanship, women 1, men 0.

So, as far as I am concerned, this is a lie you are determined to repeat. If you can show one iota of evidence that Angela Rayner is culpable and that this wasn't just the right-wing press trying to save Johnson's bacon, then please let us know.

Otherwise, stop repeating the lies or I will report the posts and ask GNHQ to remove the fake news you seem determined to spread.

The Sue Parish Tango defence wtte My husband wouldn't have been watching porn if women didn't make it. (Do we even know who he was watching?)

Please provide evidence that there is a lot more to the Rayner story.

So all women are totally innocent, we all know that isn’t true.

There is a lot more to the story than than crossing legs in the HoC.

In any case gamesmanship, women 1, men 0.

What has happened is that the Tories have succeeded in making Rayner look strong and they have given her a platform.

She has gained considerably from this episode.

Katie59

The problem is that business spills over into social life in many situations, an example is the Covid party situation where a birthday glass of wine in No 10 was breaking the rules. After a evening session in the HoC they retire to the bar to discuss the topics of the day and lobby others, no doubt banter the opposition as well.

It’s normal socializing which is OK until someone goes too far, for example calling someone “stupid” is OK but if you say “stupid woman” (or man) that’s sexist and a resigning issue. That’s the sort of non PC slip up that happens when you’ve had a couple of drinks.

The Rayner debacle probably has its roots in the bar where male MPs were sexualising her, she may even have been playing up to them, it only takes a look or a wink, there is more to it than what was alleged in the commons.

Katie59
she may even have been playing up to them, it only taes a look or a wink, there is more to it than what was alleged in the commons.

When will these unsubstantiated attacks on another women stop? Gossip, and that is all this is, ruins lives.

Iam64

Exactly JaneJudge.
Katie59. We don’t ‘slip up’ and make sexist or other offensive remarks because we had a couple of drinks. Those things are said because the person believes them, alcohol lowered inhibitions, it didn’t cause a change in belief systems

Plenty of us believe “stupid man”

Exactly JaneJudge.
Katie59. We don’t ‘slip up’ and make sexist or other offensive remarks because we had a couple of drinks. Those things are said because the person believes them, alcohol lowered inhibitions, it didn’t cause a change in belief systems

Lets face it, if I or any of us turned up late for work, didn't turn up at all, turned up at work drunk, watched/used a mobile phone through a meeting with our boss, fell asleep at work. We would ALL face disciplinary action even dismissal. Stop making excuses for these people

The problem is that business spills over into social life in many situations, an example is the Covid party situation where a birthday glass of wine in No 10 was breaking the rules. After a evening session in the HoC they retire to the bar to discuss the topics of the day and lobby others, no doubt banter the opposition as well.

It’s normal socializing which is OK until someone goes too far, for example calling someone “stupid” is OK but if you say “stupid woman” (or man) that’s sexist and a resigning issue. That’s the sort of non PC slip up that happens when you’ve had a couple of drinks.

The Rayner debacle probably has its roots in the bar where male MPs were sexualising her, she may even have been playing up to them, it only takes a look or a wink, there is more to it than what was alleged in the commons.

Nanna 8, I am totally with you on this matter! x

Nanna 8, I am totally in your corner on this. x

House of Commons drinks menu.