howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 October 2009
19:3131049the leader of the opposition has stated that he is considering the above in order to get a balance of the sexes in the house of commons.
this will cause a major stir if it happens.
surely social engineering is not the usual thing for the blue folk.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
20 October 2009
19:4131050Are there very many women who want to be MPs Howard? I`ve never really thought about it.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 October 2009
19:5531051there was one colin, think her name was scratcher
something like that anyway, didn't get very far though.
our very own fair maiden julie rook looked booked for stardom as our next mp until chas(smoothie) elphicke came in and usurped her.
wether he can upset the local favourite and win through is doubtful though
victor has a strong personal vote in dover
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
20 October 2009
20:1031053It is a profoundly unConservative idea and would cause more problems than it solves. I hope DC does not take it beyond 'consideration'. I think he will realise the massive opposition that it would arouse and at exactly the wrong time.
The numbers of women candidates selected is broadly in line with proportions on the candidate list.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 October 2009
20:5331056on the bbc they said it was under consideration on itv it was a fait accompli
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
20 October 2009
21:4831063The actual word used was 'consider' - clearly ITV were not careful enough to reflect the truth but for once the BBC was.
I really cannot see the sense in such a policy.
If 50% of people wanting to be candidates were women but only, say 10%, were selected then there would be a serious problem.
But that is not the case as there are far fewer women wanting to be candidates. As a result even a 50% women shortlist, with just 25% of those on the candidates list being women is wrong and does the women a disservice. Clearly if you are artificially creating a fixed proportion of women on a short list out of a lower proportion on the 'long list', then the men who manage to get onto the short list would be seen as exceptional to start with, while the women will be seen to be second rate, there only because of their gender not merit. This would be even more so if an all woman shortlist were required, its patronising and demeaning for those women of high ability who see themselves as equal or better than any man. We simply must not go down that dangerous road because all it will do is leave us with a bunch of second raters like the Blair babes getting selected only because they are female. All selection should be on merit only regardless of gender, race or any other factor, that is the way Conservatives do things and we must not pander to discrimination.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 October 2009
22:0031067totally agree, any "positive"discrimination is insulting and condescending to women and ethnic minorities.
quotas are for imported goods not people.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
20 October 2009
22:0631070Just on the women only shortlist theme I agree barryw
You may recall a few years ago the Kent Labour party attempted to impose a womon only shortlist in the 2 Dover seats.
Held at that time by myself and bill newman.
I fought against this as did bill, not because Idont want to see more and more women come forward as candidates, but also become cllrs.
But as baz says imposing anyone is the wrong way to do things.
Im pleased to say that after a big bun fight at kent and local labour party meetings the decision didnt go ahead,
But this did not stop those with that agenda to come back again and impose a woman in the shep/well rural seat.
Not on ability, but purely just because she was a women.
And the labour party lost one of its best cllrs ever because he was unable to stand for labour in that seat (R Hansell)
it also split the party.
Reg was well respected at local and county meetings, by all parties and an expert on education, and many other subjects.
So I do hope D.C. thnks again, its a bad move.
There are better ways to promote women if thats the aim
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
20 October 2009
22:0931073Keith
Agree. Women are quite capable of promoting themselves and its condescending of men to think they require a helping hand.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 October 2009
22:1331074that is quite shocking keith, i seem to remember you mentioning at the time this problem.
like you, i hope that boy dave sees the sense in not going ahead, it will split his party a lot more than the labour party.
surely the fact that mrs t came to the fore over 30 years ago would say something.
ability will always shine through.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
20 October 2009
22:1931080I think many women will be disgusted if this were to become policy,
Party will split,
In the labour and conservative council ranks there are some good women who are there on ability, i wont name any to save embarrassment.
Im all for promoting women, but this way is the wrong way
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
21 October 2009
07:2831093The party wont split over this but there would certainly be a real humdinger of a row and I just dont think DC will do this.
This really does though show how the press really stirs things up, most of the reports I see are, like ITV, publishing this as if he has made up his mind and is going to do it. They miss out that all important word he said, 'consider'.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
21 October 2009
12:3131100BAZ
ITs a killer hope it doesnt happen,
k
22 October 2009
22:1831241Why does he need to "consider" it?
It's an idea that's been around for 10+ years since Labour did it.
Surely, he must know what he thinks about it!
I don't trust David Cameron at all.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
22 October 2009
23:3731246Nor do many others James
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 October 2009
05:0431252I think he should reject it out of hand but that is simply a 'political' answer to say 'consider'.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
23 October 2009
07:5831261Barryw
I don't know what influence Michael Portillo has but hes 100% behind the idea, in fact he feels DC didnt(hasnt) gone far enough on this issue
23 October 2009
07:5931262Hi. I am a woman. Does that mean I have to sit at Westminster next year? Who will cook my husbands dinner and mind the children?
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
23 October 2009
08:1831273Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 October 2009
11:3731284Keith, Portillo is yesterday's man and of no influence at all, very far from it.
