Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Boris Johnson is the twentieth Prime Minister from Eton

83 replies

Erythronium · 23/07/2019 22:11

On the other hand we've only had two female PMs.

Isn't it time Eton started letting in girls, so they'd have the same chance as all the males to be PM? Those are good odds.

OP posts:
Original poster
Erythronium · 23/07/2019 23:19

I didn't think it was a very interesting question, given we're talking about Boris Johnson here. Anti-feminist, just so stories like the one you just told us there are ten a penny, feminist views not so much.

There are plenty of women who would like to take the lead in politics. I knew a couple at university, both who were Labour party student activists. He's now something very high up in the Labour party whilst she's disappeared despite being equally as ambitious and political as him. The path was cleared for him whereas she got no opportunities. Same with Cherie Blair and Tony Blair, another example. She was the first one to go for a parliamentary seat but in the end Tony got one and she supported him. It's a man's system, set up to promote men, with a few women getting through. We don't have women leaders because men won't allow it.

I want to destroy the whole system and create something completely different so obviously I wouldn't want to be PM. I'm more ambitious than that.

OP posts:
Pleasebequietnow · 23/07/2019 23:15

I don’t care whether the PM is male or female, public or state educated. I just want the best person for the job. I think we’ve been short changed with Boris.

As for Eton, it’s been around for nearly 600 years and was historically where the ruling classes sent their DS, so it’s hardly jaw dropping news that it has spawned more PMs than any other school.

fascinated · 23/07/2019 23:05

Egon wouldn’t be the same place if they let girls or “oiks” in. That is kinda the whole point of Eton.

Bingit · 23/07/2019 23:05

You won't answer me and I'll tell you why. You don't want that job, I doubt it appeals to you. It also doesn't appeal to me, or to the majority of women if you asked them. It's got nothing to do with sexism/feminism/private schooling etc.. Fundamentally the job of leading the country doesn't appeal to women as much as it does to men, hence the majority of them being men.

Gone2far · 23/07/2019 23:01

And, as far as I know, Boris ' girlfriend is still living with him and hasn't pressed charges. Jo Swinson has stated that twaw. It might not bother you, but I think it is bad for women. JP and AR are (imo) stupid.

Original poster
Erythronium · 23/07/2019 23:00

Nobody bothered about BJ apparently being a domestic abuser?

Feminism?

Feminism?

Bueller?

OP posts:
Original poster
Erythronium · 23/07/2019 22:58

The question was whether we've had too many men as Prime Minister. I say yes.

OP posts:
Gone2far · 23/07/2019 22:58

No, I just think State educated MPs (or at least those on the Labour front bench) are equally awful, so I'm not bothered about whether MPs go to Eton or not

Original poster
Erythronium · 23/07/2019 22:57

"hear"

OP posts:
Original poster
Erythronium · 23/07/2019 22:57

I bet Jo Swinson's never terrorised her female partner so badly that the neighbours could here what was going on and called the police. I"m sure Jess Phillips and Angela Rayner haven't done that either.

OP posts:
JediJim · 23/07/2019 22:55

Boris was elected by Tory members. The PM job is a poisoned chalice, whoever takes it. He still has the task of getting a deal through Parliament, which May couldn’t do, or leave without a deal which could be political suicide for anyone.
He could also face a vote of no confidence any time too.
I’ve given up on politics, nothing makes sense anymore in this crazy world. I’d never thought I’d see a Trump and Boris combo..

Gone2far · 23/07/2019 22:54

After all, Jo Swinson's got no worries about pushing women under the bus

Bingit · 23/07/2019 22:54

Why don't you get into politics and run for Prime Minister?

HopeClearwater · 23/07/2019 22:54

Gonetoofar so you are saying public school educated idiots are better? Why’s that then?

Original poster
Erythronium · 23/07/2019 22:53

If they all last their full five years that is 370 years of women in charge.

OP posts:
Gone2far · 23/07/2019 22:53

And I don't like Jo Swinson either. Bring on a few more etonians

HopeClearwater · 23/07/2019 22:52

Real intersectionality means the working class, disabled, women, minority ethnicities etc all ganging up to rip down those barriers

Yes. But we are all set against each other and shooting ourselves in the foot. Women saying they don’t approve of all-female shortlists. Working-class people saying ‘I’d behave like that if I was in that position’ about MPs claiming dodgy expenses. People liking one Mr B Johnson because he’s ‘a bit of a laugh’ and thinking he’d be their mate if only they hung around the same pub. They’ve got no bloody idea.

Original poster
Erythronium · 23/07/2019 22:52

True, I'm slightly misremembering the chain of events. Still the main point stands.

A man who bullies his female partners (or worse) is now leading the country. Women were nowhere to be seen. We'll need seventy-four I think female prime ministers from now on to balance out all the men we've had.

OP posts:
Gone2far · 23/07/2019 22:51

I just look at all the State educated idiots on the Labour front bench, Male and female, and I really don't care. The fewer Jess Phillips and Angela Rayners the better.

HopeClearwater · 23/07/2019 22:47

There’s a thread somewhere else on MN this week where many people defend the existence of private education, Eton, Harrow, the lot, with a whole load of ill-thought-out kneejerk reactions. As long as we allow the social structure of this country to remain as it is, the number will be 21 in the next few years. It starts with the monarchy, continues with the aristocracy, and is supported at the roots by the public schools. Nothing is going to change any time soon.

deydododatdodontdeydo · 23/07/2019 22:44

If a woman had got this job we'd be saying it's a poisoned chalice because it is.
Gove didn't run away in 2016 he stood against May and lost.

donquixotedelamancha · 23/07/2019 22:44

if they did let girls in I don't think as a result you would see more female PMs.

I actually think it would make a difference. Eton is one of the mechanisms by which the elite maintain power. If the UK were ever to become a meritocracy, it would have to dismantle some of the barriers.

Real intersectionality means the working class, disabled, women, minority ethnicities etc all ganging up to rip down those barriers.

Original poster
Erythronium · 23/07/2019 22:43

Men created the class system in order to have groups of women it was easier to oppress, and to divide women from each other.

It's a feminist issue.

OP posts:
nellodee · 23/07/2019 22:42

This isn't a feminist issue. This is a class issue.

Original poster
Erythronium · 23/07/2019 22:39

That was the lib fem question.

Now the radical feminist question. How is it we end up with a man whose girlfriend is heard saying this to him:

“get off me” and “get out of my flat”

www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/23/boris-johnson-more-neighbours-confirm-tear-up-with-partner-carrie-symonds

OP posts: