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Briefing against women ministers in Westminster

(109 Posts)
alita Wed 01-Jul-26 19:57:13

I am absolutely gobsmacked that women ministers in government are actively briefed against! Burnham has announced that he will stop this culture, but the fact that it goes on is truly shocking in 2026. I know that women MPs get a hard time in Parliament, but I thought that was misogynist members of the public, not their own actual colleagues. This has been going on and accepted by Starmer (who I have until lately admired) but also all the previous modern Prime Ministers. How can this be so? How can this be acceptable in a modern society?

sundowngirl Tue 07-Jul-26 12:49:57

Wyllow3 - I don't think Margaret Thatcher was dreadul - I thought she was great, I wish she were PM now

Yvette Cooper is too weak to be PM, that is why she was moved on from home secretary

LemonJam Tue 07-Jul-26 12:53:45

Cossy

eazybee

Is there any evidence other than from Burnham?

It has been obvious during his brief tenure as PM that Starmer has a problem with women, but that is a different issue.

Really? Or are you harping back yet again to the gender, sex and trans issues? Yawn!

Starmer selected 11 women for his cabinet- the most women selected by any government in senior roles ever that is to his credit.

LemonJam Tue 07-Jul-26 12:57:11

sundowngirl

Wyllow3 - I don't think Margaret Thatcher was dreadul - I thought she was great, I wish she were PM now

Yvette Cooper is too weak to be PM, that is why she was moved on from home secretary

Although I salute some of Thatcher's person qualities and how she stood up for herself I also think she was a dreadful PM - as judged by her legacy that resulted some very long lasting adverse consequences for the country.

Yvette Copper has not selected herself as contender in current leadership contest- her choice.

Jduffy50 Tue 07-Jul-26 14:28:21

Reform female councillors in west Northampton all resigned because of prejudice and boys club attitudes- another thing that party is rubbish at

WithNobsOnIt Tue 07-Jul-26 14:53:52

Burnham will say anything, or do anything to look good and curry favour for a sound byte

I think Politics is still a Boys Club.

Sorry, a Mans World.

LemonJam Tue 07-Jul-26 15:46:38

There are generally many more men in politics than women. There has been a boys club in politics for centuries and its a slow process to achieve cultural change.

AB responded to a specific question and answered he will not tolerate anybody (male or female) seeking to brief against another if elected PM. In my book his answer to that question was positive.

If he's elected as PM, as we all expect in a few weeks, he will be saying a lot of things and they will be reported in the media with a variety of spins.

AB will continue to have supporters and detractors. Spin from detractors will continue to be negative, ie AB 'will say anything, or do anything to look good and curry favour for a sound byte" Well the press are all over reporting about him so AB seeking a sound byte is spin. But the facts - either way are a much better arbiter than spin- and it for us as individuals to discern the difference.

I'm sure we will continue to see many more posts with such views whilst others will have a different view. Twas ever thus in politics ๐Ÿ˜Š

Mojack26 Tue 07-Jul-26 20:17:52

Eh? Briefed against what? Post makes no sense, sorry

LemonJam Wed 08-Jul-26 11:47:36

I guess the anonymous briefers, briefing against a colleague anonymously knows the detail and content of their brief alongside the PM to whom the anonymous brief is communicated.

I would imagine this anonymous kind of tittle tattle happens in many walks of life.

AB merely answered a question by saying he would not tolerate anonymous briefings against another minister of this anonymous nature.