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

BellBookandCandle - you are so right, Eagles are rude and snide to work with. Probably David Cameron is more pleasant.

However ... to repeat my posting from other thread in Feminism/Women's Rights...

... he is the PM speaking to senior female politician.

Yes, on one level they are all used to hurling insults at each other.

But at another level this is gonna be all over the TV etc today - already is.

I don't want any twatty blokes thinking they now have even more of an excuse to put women down because the PM is doing it.

In my view David Cameron just knocked some gloss off his 'I'm a modern Tory' spin.

Is that what he says to SamCam at home?

He should retract the remark saying he has realised it sends a wrong signal and Angela Eagle should look modest and say 'don't worry I'm not upset, I'm bigger than that'.

frgr - I would have a huge problem with any man (including, in fact especially my DH) if he spoke to me like that. Let alone the Prime Minister - a person in the position of power, belittling a female colleague.

It is very sexist as it implies that women aren't allowed to angry or animated about anything. You see it often enough at PMQ that the men get angry and "shrieky" (as someone delightfully described up thread) yet he managed to keep that particular comment in check for them.

I have just seen it on the news.

It is pathetic but just the tip of the parliamentary sexist iceberg I suspect.

I can't abide the way our MPs conduct themselves in the chamber. It is anachronistic, reminiscent of some gentleman's club or public school common room. We need a modern parliament with forward thinking representatives of all strata of soceity inside it. Some fucking hope.

'Is that what he says to SamCam at home?'

That's just what I wondered too.

Is the the Camerooney love squad in full flight? Would you buy a second hand car from Dave?

Ladies, ladies, no need to get your knickers in a twist, stop gossiping and start preparing your husband's dinner

Seriously, he must know that it is unacceptable to say dear in that context

Quelle, I would too, if my DH/boss etc said it. But some women seem to put up with an awful lot of shite at home (I spend a lot of time on the Relationships forum - very distressing what some patronising 'D'Hs do to their partners without reprimand) so I felt that my comments about it being even more significant re: the background context of a life in high level politics (as a professional in a sector which is quite masculine, although fortunately not too male dominated these days re: numbers) was the bit I could most identify with

Had it been said to a member of his own party or a civil servant (etc) I would have been more concerned. As it is, I think it's got more to do with the normal ponit-scoring offensive banter that most policitians feel free to practise in when they speak in the HoC (does parliamentary privilidge protect them from sexism/racism etc I wonder?).

I am much more frustrated by the "old boys" atmosphere of parliament and Whitehall, the family-unfriendly working conditions and hours and all the other barriers to more women becoming MP's than comments like this.

What a complete arse.

Looking at Clegg's face during that link he was thinking the same.

In the context of a parliament that is 22% female (and 78% male), there's a possible subtext

Ahh see what you mean frgr! I misunderstood too.

It's not actually his job to get anyone to be quiet in the chamber, for anyone in doubt. That's the Speaker's job and yes he should do it better. DC was just saying it either a) because he wanted to appeal to all those funky sexists out there or b) because it's his automated response to a woman making her voice heard.

Yep. Cleggers was trying to mask the mortification. His sphincter must be tighter than a nats chuff with all the clenching he has to do on that front bench.

I thought he said it to the dreadful yvette cooper.

bet the ad exec who coined it is a happy bunny

celadon.....lmen are NOT in charge of everything!!

Gnats chuff that is.

But, Elephants, little Bercow is even more revolting than Eagle and Cooper. Why would anyone listen to that pygmy?

I'm not a funky sexist - I just think women need to toughen up a bit - being called 'dear' is not the end of the world fgs - dh/dp etc are used on MN all the time -

I would be very angry if any man spoke to me like that when I voiced an opinion.

Another one who wonders how he speaks to his wife.

I think he just got a wee bit exasperated and just said it , but bearing in mind it was a highly irritating slogan written for a fat old tosspot to say I think he probably couldve chosen better

Lilmeena, are you purposely missing the point? Or creating straw men for amusement?

I don't object to being called 'dear' - DH says it to me all the time.

Stop trying to change the focus and start addressing some of the clearly defined problems that some of us have with his comments.

MotherSnacker, Cammy said this when he was speaking at the despatch box and they were trying to shout him down. I doubt you'd let that go either.