To think it's time for a woman to be Prime Minister

We had a PM with hair like Boris Johnson’s. Didn’t see pp criticising him. At least not for his hair.

Classism? Hmm not convinced I saw classism in that remark. Also, not necessarily misogyny either, if a man had hair like Brian May, I'm not sure how appropriate that would be either... maybe you just love isms

@CoffeeCantata Unfortunately I think the current political climate (I’ve got my theories, but hesitate to bore pps) militates against really excellent people emerging. Some of the most able minds have left UK politics over the last ten or so years.

I am afraid I agree with you there. If we are not happy with the lot that we have among the country's political leadership, then we ought to bear in mind that people like Starmer did not emerge from nowehere. They are also a product of our society and somehow it's in this society "leaders" like him were allowed to come up in their ranks.

We don't seem to have any real statesmen anymore. And not just in the UK but across the board in all G7 countries as a minimum. I remember there was a story about Sunak refusing to meet the Greek PM because there was some disagreement about some statues that Greece demanded that we return. I thought it was completely pathetic that he cancelled the meeting with the Greek PM over that and can't believe that we have come to have PMs of this sort. Yes, OK, you disagree on the subject of those statues but, for God's sake, man up and face the conversation: the Greek PM wants them back, you don't agree, then just say so. Imagine if we cancelled work meetings because we disagree with our colleagues on one topic or another? Funny enough, I can't actually imagine Thatcher cancelling a meeting with any PM of another country because she disagreed with them!

Today, however, quite a lof ot politicians behave like children: oh, they don't like the leaders of Iran, Russia or another country, so they won't talk to them at all. As if anyone can just cancel Iran, Russia or another country just because western leaders don't agree with what they are doing? In my memory, western leaders haven't been in agreement with the USSR throughout its existence too but that never stopped the old lot from engaging and negotiating various issues. They somehow behaved like adults as a minimum, which is the least that we should be able to expect from them.

Or take the latest: the petition against digital ID gathered nearly 3M signatures and what does Starmer's government do? Debate it? Come out on TV to talk to the opposition, the press, go talk to various representatives of the public etc? No, they provide a written response that basically says "we are doing it anyway" and that's that. And how often do we generally see Starmer or any recent PM going to meet with the public on any issue? Like I said, I kind of feel like we have administrators or managers in charge, not statesmen anymore.

Unfortunately I think the current political climate (I’ve got my theories, but hesitate to bore pps) militates against really excellent people emerging. Some of the most able minds have left UK politics over the last ten or so years. I thought David Milliband had huge potential, and for the Conservatives, Rory Stewart (but he’d never get elected- far too intellectual, fair-minded and nuanced). I actually like Theresa May at first. I thought she was a steady pair of hands but she misjudged things and Johnson got in.

Who else? It’s a sad, desolate scene really on all sides of politics. Apart from Yvette Cooper..who would I trust? The awful crying incident with Rachel Reeves raised a lot of issues. Some think we shouldn’t criticise her for crying- and that politics would be a better place if emotions were tolerated more. But I felt it wasn’t a good look. Optics are important, whatever we say. Senior minister do need to be tough if we’re to have confidence in the. Of course I felt for RR on a personal level but I cringed for her professionally.

Hi, Thanks OP. Your list gave me a laugh!
No
I do not want a prime minister who- commits tax fraud, is involved in the think tank corruption, has been suspended for racism, has tried to dilute the grooming gang investigation, has had to resign due to a bangladesh corruption situation, publically has called Donald Trump a racist sexist predator (whether he is or not it is not going to make for a great relationship), axed fuel payments while claiming taxpayer money to heat her home, was found guilty of fraud, tweets racism, accepts gifts and does not pay her rental licence

And I do not think that anyone would!

If you mean by gender equality jobs being allocated on some kind of quota system - eg, there’ve got to be equal numbers of men and women - or selecting people for posts on the basis of gender, then please, no.

I want the best person for the job, please.

I definitely prefer to have a woman GP.

I agree that we are faced with pretty dire choices all around regardless of their gender. I just despair sometimes looking at the current lot and their opposition! Given that I feel that way, I am not convinced the next general election is going to help!

Yes, I am confident in my opinion that people should be selected for jobs on merit but the above comment says my confidence in doctors etc is misplaced. I don't recall making any arguments about my confidence in doctors.

Marin was criticised for gender imbalance in her cabinet. At the time of its formation, the Marin cabinet was noted for having a significant female majority, with 12 women ministers and 7 men ministers.

But I am guessing you approve of that because that imbalance favours women? 😂

You have said a couple of times that you “are confident” in your opinion. Your words, not mine

I’m not saying patients shouldn’t have a choice. That’s a separate issue. Just that being female doesn’t guarantee a sympathetic approach.

I’m not sure I can think of any man fit to be Prime Minister either.

Which is probably more of an issue with our current crop of politicians than what sex they happen to be.

No one should be selected on the basis of whether they are male or female, it should be because they are the best person dow the job.

I can’t think of any female at the moment that is fit to be Prime minister.

As we used to say at the time, “Thatcher may be a woman but she ain't no sister!”

😂😂😂

“It needs to be a woman, but only one I approve of and that follows my policy ideals”

A woman that is interested in gender equality - would definitely advance the nation.

Margaret Thatcher wasn't like that at all.

The female leader of Finland WAS like that.

Sorry, you lost me at Raynor. She is not fit for office.

No, they didn't sexually abuse me but neither did any male doctors or dentists!

It does also depend on the female leader of course. As i said, Margaret Thatcher was very masculine.

So now it also needs to be not just a woman but also a feminine woman? 😂

Those females didn't sexually abuse you though did they? I have heard about a lot of women who were sexually abused by male doctors.

I also met a number of female GPs in my local practice, who were among the worst doctors I've ever come across. There are male doctors like that too, without a doubt, and this is precisely why I think people should only be selected for their jobs on merit rather than on the basis of their gender. I couldn't care less if my doctor or dentist is a man or a woman. I just want them to be competent and professional.

It does also depend on the female leader of course. As i said, Margaret Thatcher was very masculine. Did she do anything to advance gender equality?

The former female prime minister of Finland on the other hand, has dedicated a lot of her time to promoting gender equality.

"Finland's female leaders, particularly former Prime Minister Sanna Marin, have focused on promoting gender equality through policies and their own actions, though the country has historically been a leader in women's rights. Marin's government aimed to close the gender pay gap, encourage more fathers to take parental leave, and promote a four-day work week to support work-life balance. Her administration also included a majority of women, and she has become a prominent voice for gender equality on the global stage. "

I have talked to men from countries where there is a female leader. The men are so much more advanced and respectful from those countries, than the men from countries where there is a male leader

We have had female leaders in the U.K., of course. I’m not sure men in the 1980s were any more advanced and respectful than men in the 1990s. Or that men in the period 6 September 2022 to 25 October 2022 were any different to men just before or just after that period.