David Cameron tells Angela Eagle to "calm down dear" at PMQ

[Bennifer]

I posted this in feminism but think this is appalling, if true.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13211577

I cannot imagine old Maggie being too worried about that kind of remark. She would have batted the insult back with wit rather than whining about it

Now there's woman who wouldn't take offence easily. Like you say she'd have come back with something better!

All politicians can be patronising, it's the nature of their job.

Having been in meetings with Angela and Maria, I think he was remarkably restrained.........I've seen them reduce officials to tears with their nasty snide comments and throw the most hissy fits when you'd try and explain that what they wanted was not deliverable.

So, no, I don't think it is appalling, if you can't take it, don't give it out

That's why liberal feminist women should stay out of politics - they can't handle it

He wouldn't have said it to a man though would he?

And michael winner is a superating sexist fuckhole so, y'know? Maybe holding him up as a humourist is a bit...shit.

(er at the risk of repeating myself)

Ooh fighting talk, this thread is going to be good

Yvette Cooper and Angela Eagle are both ghastly. Shame he couldn't get away with "wind your necks in, you humourless harridans".

PMSL @ mosschops. Never was a truer word spoken. Good idea about hiding the feminism topic. Don't get me wrong I am not against feminism - being a woman and all - but all this taking offence at every tiny thing gets right on my tits.

she needed telling....which he did! whats the offensive bit? maybe he should have saif calm down 'mate' instead?

QuelleLeJeff - I doubt we will ever know the answer to whether he would or not, I'd like to think he would.
Imagine DCam telling Dennis Skinner to "calm down dear" - that I would like to see

Lilmeena. You must be joking!

I've just listened to it on R4.

David Cameron sounds like a loathsome, patronising, bullying twat.

There's only one way to sort this out................

Sorry Lilmeena - is there some evidence that anyone "can't handle it"? Or are you just taking the chance to criticise women? Way to go having a go at (what i presume is) your own sex.

It's patronising. I wouldn't have liked it - there are connotations here which are not recognised when people dismiss it as "just humour" - the old boys club, shaking hands on the golf course, boys network that goes on at high levels of politics means this has more significance than your average conversation.

And that is what I'm sure a lot of people saying "I don't have a problem with it" are missing. They're thinking of themselves in that situation where a male colleague would say it to them; or some bloke in a shop; or a neighbour; or their husbands.

High level politics is a much more complex environment than the above situations, and our reflection on his comments shouldn't be taken lightly.

It was a silly way to address a woman. David Camerooney would have been more with it if he had spent a few months at a proper school or in an Open Prison.

What is with this obsession with being offended on someone else's behalf? I'm sure Yvette is confident and bright enough to just laugh this off.

"his comments shouldn't be taken lightly"

meant to be

"his comments shouldn't be taken as lightly"

frgr
Give me a break, luv.

grovel, which bit don't you agree with exactly?

"Yeah, do me a favour love".

I don't think I need to explain why it sounds patronising and sexist to many, including me

frgr - not being funny but if my partner/boss/bloke in shop told me to "Calm Down Dear" I would certainly say have a problem with it.

FFS - some people should go out and get themselves a life, rather than sitting around on their arses waiting to be offended. Isn't feminisim about equality? - it's hardly putting you on an equal footing getting upset about it.

er, misread you frgr. I'm such a silly woman! I expect I'm due a period or something.

did it work?? did she shut up?