❓Truss’s First PMQ’s❓

Don't worry, Farzanah. There are many who said you got it right!

short and sharp, she does not bumble and waste her words. Inspires confidence and a very good start

MayBee70

rosie1959

Fleurpepper

rosie1959

vegansrock

I’m wondering if Therese Coffey , who apparently likes a drink and a smoke and is overweight is the best person for health minister….

I will more interested in how well she can do the job
I am overweight smoke and used to drink was still pretty efficient I'm my career

Were you in charge of the Health system/NHS?

Obviously not but her physical characteristics and her personal habits make not a jot of difference to her ability to get the job done

This is just my personal opinion but, for the NHS to survive more needs to be done to make people more aware of the need to be responsible for their own health via eating healthily, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight etc. I don’t see how that can possibly be achieved if the person in charge of the nations health disregards all of those things.

Recently I heard an interview with a consultant at one of the London Hospitals. He was asked if an unlimited amount of money was suddenly granted to the nhs, what would he spend it on. Straight away, he replied 'Sort out the Care system, then 60% of the issues around ambulance waiting times could be solved at a stroke'.

MaizieD

I was a bit startled when she told the person from a modest background, who, through his own efforts, became a top barrister and Director of Public Prosecutions, that his party wasn't a party of 'aspiration.'

Nothing like trotting out a tired old cliche...

What did she mean about all Labour leaders coming from London? Did she mean they had London constituencies or that they were born in London? Neither of which, to my knowledge, is true.

Blinko

MayBee70

rosie1959

Fleurpepper

rosie1959

vegansrock

I’m wondering if Therese Coffey , who apparently likes a drink and a smoke and is overweight is the best person for health minister….

I will more interested in how well she can do the job
I am overweight smoke and used to drink was still pretty efficient I'm my career

Were you in charge of the Health system/NHS?

Obviously not but her physical characteristics and her personal habits make not a jot of difference to her ability to get the job done

This is just my personal opinion but, for the NHS to survive more needs to be done to make people more aware of the need to be responsible for their own health via eating healthily, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight etc. I don’t see how that can possibly be achieved if the person in charge of the nations health disregards all of those things.

Recently I heard an interview with a consultant at one of the London Hospitals. He was asked if an unlimited amount of money was suddenly granted to the nhs, what would he spend it on. Straight away, he replied 'Sort out the Care system, then 60% of the issues around ambulance waiting times could be solved at a stroke'.

That would make a huge difference, although it would cost many millions to sort out the care system. However, the care system is the front end of the NHS’ problems, public health is the back end. If the health of the nation doesn’t improve, there will be many more people needing packages of care at home and admission to nursing homes in the future so the problem will get even bigger. Hospital consultants are the ‘quick fix’ problem solvers of the NHS, whereas Public Health are the longer, but bigger issue solvers.

MayBee70

MaizieD

I was a bit startled when she told the person from a modest background, who, through his own efforts, became a top barrister and Director of Public Prosecutions, that his party wasn't a party of 'aspiration.'

Nothing like trotting out a tired old cliche...

What did she mean about all Labour leaders coming from London? Did she mean they had London constituencies or that they were born in London? Neither of which, to my knowledge, is true.

I think she meant Norff London as we call it. They all live round here ... Starmer, Corbyn, Milliband. ??

As opposed to Greenwich which is, I believe, called the spiritual home of Trussism.
Hardly downmarket is it? ?

GrannyGravy13

vegansrock

I’m wondering if Therese Coffey , who apparently likes a drink and a smoke and is overweight is the best person for health minister….

Wasn’t Ken Clarke Health minister (1988-1990) I do not recall anyone objecting to his waistline, drinking or cigar smoking.

We're a bit more aware now I think.

Dinahmo

GrannyGravy13

vegansrock

I’m wondering if Therese Coffey , who apparently likes a drink and a smoke and is overweight is the best person for health minister….

Wasn’t Ken Clarke Health minister (1988-1990) I do not recall anyone objecting to his waistline, drinking or cigar smoking.

We're a bit more aware now I think.

And he's still here, in the H of L, age 82.

You gotta love Ken Clarke!

OK let's lower the tone and say that ankle grazer trousers and high heels are not a good look on someone who seems to have trouble walking in heels.

It was all that I expected at PM question time but the cartoon in the Times was brilliant.
It depicted her meeting the Queen. Liz Truss was holding her fingers out to be kissed by the Queen!!!!
As for Coffey she might be good at her job but you usually try to convey what you want and expect from your own appearance and actions. She looks like the 20-stone nurse who told me I needed to lose weight when she needed two chairs to hold her ample bottom.

Joseanne

MayBee70

MaizieD

I was a bit startled when she told the person from a modest background, who, through his own efforts, became a top barrister and Director of Public Prosecutions, that his party wasn't a party of 'aspiration.'

Nothing like trotting out a tired old cliche...

What did she mean about all Labour leaders coming from London? Did she mean they had London constituencies or that they were born in London? Neither of which, to my knowledge, is true.

I think she meant Norff London as we call it. They all live round here ... Starmer, Corbyn, Milliband. ??

That's so they don't have to claim £1,000s for second homes...

Starmer and Corbyn are living in or close to their constituencies.

When was the last Tory PM not from the South of England ?

vegansrock

When was the last Tory PM not from the South of England ?

Grantham (Margaret Thatcher) is hardly the south of England.
Alec Douglas Home was Scottish

As for Coffey she might be good at her job but you usually try to convey what you want and expect from your own appearance and actions. She looks like the 20-stone nurse who told me I needed to lose weight when she needed two chairs to hold her ample bottom

Regardless of politics, do we really have to sink to this level of criticism woman to woman?
Cheap.
And if a man had criticised a woman on her appearance?

It seems Coffey now has something else to answer.

Apparently, she left Oxford after failing her exams. I don't think she has ever claimed to be an Oxford graduate, but some sections of the media have.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/07/therese-coffey-had-to-leave-oxford-university-but-made-it-to-deputy-pm

I think she's been a bit silly not to set the record straight.

MawtheMerrier

^As for Coffey she might be good at her job but you usually try to convey what you want and expect from your own appearance and actions. She looks like the 20-stone nurse who told me I needed to lose weight when she needed two chairs to hold her ample bottom^

Regardless of politics, do we really have to sink to this level of criticism woman to woman?
Cheap.
And if a man had criticised a woman on her appearance?

She’s responsible for the health of the nation. And she’s not only grossly overweight but also smokes. It would be forgivable if she had a health condition but that isn’t the case.

I am no Truss supporter but pretty sickened by the petty woman on woman comments so far
Truss’s ankle length trousers and heels? Really? (I hadn’t noticed any problem she may have walking in heels) - but so what ?
Coffey’s weight and that she has been known to enjoy a drink and been seen smoking. How very virtuous her critics must feel.
As it happens Churchill was massively overweight, smoked cigars and started on the brandy at breakfast. (Don’t try this at home, folks), but he did sort of contribute to the Allies winning the war.
Is this the best you can come up with? Hair next perhaps or the colour of her lipstick?
#whatpricefemaleequalitynow

I thought she looked very dignified and fairly young to be a PM. Hope she turns out well for you. Give her a chance !

I think she acquitted herself very well at PMQ’s…

I don’t think criticism of Coffey's unhealthy lifestyle ( not just appearance) is because she is female. I would have the same misgivings about the suitability of a man with the same attributes being health secretary.

I was really impressed. Clear on her policies and answered the questioners with confidence.

Whatever your politics, she has gained gravitas during her time in various ministerial positions.

Deedaa

OK let's lower the tone and say that ankle grazer trousers and high heels are not a good look on someone who seems to have trouble walking in heels.

I quite agree. Didn’t mind the trousers, but the heels were ridiculously high and spindly. Liked the blouse and jacket. And before you say anything, I would have criticised a man’s clothes if I didn’t like them, too.

vegansrock

I don’t think criticism of Coffey's unhealthy lifestyle ( not just appearance) is because she is female. I would have the same misgivings about the suitability of a man with the same attributes being health secretary.

Just as an aside, were you equally critical of Labour’s Emily Thornberry – when a former shadow health minister who drinks and smokes and shows similar disdain for public health guidelines?
I wonder if she was similarly “fat-shamed” or experienced the nastiness directed at Coffey.