New gloss, old ways
With a new leader for the Conservative Party, the game seems to be on again in British politics. It is always refreshing to see political leaders doing things in a new way and Smiths fan David Cameron is committed to a more innovative style of politics. Elected following a protracted leadership contest, he has greater freedom of action being the first Tory leader without association with the Thatcher era. In his first speech as leader of the Conservatives he said that the under-representation of women in British politics is 'a scandal':
Welcome words indeed. So I waited with interest for the appointment of his new shadow cabinet to see how many key posts will be taken up by women. Not a single one. Quite a distinctive gap between his words and his actions. Is the hype around Cameron just a case of new gloss over the same old Tory policies?
Pledging to end what he called a "scandalous" under-representation of women in the party, he declared in his acceptance speech, "I want us to give this country a modern compassionate Conservatism that is right for our times and right for our country."
Welcome words indeed. So I waited with interest for the appointment of his new shadow cabinet to see how many key posts will be taken up by women. Not a single one. Quite a distinctive gap between his words and his actions. Is the hype around Cameron just a case of new gloss over the same old Tory policies?
Sat Dec 10, 10:28:58 AM CETRob, I think Dave Cameron read your blog and acted on it! Yesterday he appointed not one but two women to his shadow cabinet. Have a look at the full list here.
Far be it from me to ever feel good about anything conservative, but I think Cameron has an uphill battle not only to win the next election but even more so to change his party.
Another point about women in politics is that it's not relevant just to have any woman be appointed simply because she's a woman. I think that this is not only demeaning to females, but it can also result in weak politicians being given positions they can't really handle well. This sort of thing happens most of the time with men, anyway.
Sat Dec 10, 10:34:49 AM CET
Correction for my previous post: there are now FOUR women in Cameron's shadow cabinet:
Shadow Commons leader - Theresa May
Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury - Theresa Villiers
Shadow Wales secretary - Cheryl Gillan
Shadow secretary for the Office of the Deputy PM - Caroline Spelman
Besides the obvious appointment outside the shadow cabinet for shadow minister for women and equality - Eleanor Laing.
What do you think now, Rob?
Sun Dec 11, 06:35:11 PM CET
Ton,
I agree with your points about token women and Cameron's uphill struggle.
The fact remains that none of the key posts ( treasury, home, foreign, defense, education, health etc) in the shadow cabinet are taken by women. Now that Cameron has appointed the full team it is good to see that female names start to appear. Still a very poor share, though it can't be easy for Cameron since there are only 17 women in the whole conservative parliamentary group ( which approaches 200).
The real challenge for Cameron, I suppose, is to ensure that his party elects more women candidates at the next general election.
Sun Dec 11, 07:30:46 PM CET
You said it, Rob! That's exactly what Theresa May said this morning on the main BBC TV Sunday morning news show.
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