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

714 replies

Bennifer · 27/04/2011 13:25

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

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

OP posts:
QuelleLeJeff · 27/04/2011 15:41

It's really shit when you watch it isn't it?

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 27/04/2011 15:42

I haven't even watched it, just heard it, but the fact that he doesn't just make a quick comment but goes on about it, plus the bit where he sniggers like a hateful schoolboy, is bad enough with audio only.

gretalse · 27/04/2011 15:43

I think its pretty shocking although to be fair Clegg doesn't look amused by it either

forkful · 27/04/2011 15:44

Really an enlightening remark from DC.

I am sure DC likes to think that he believes in equality blah blah and his speeches will be double/tripled checked to ensure they contain no sexist remarks, however here we have an off the cuff spontaneous remark.

"Calm Down Dear"

The reason I assume the Labour front bench know that it was directed towards Angela Eagle is that it was her who was the one who lept in first to correct something DC said.

Those of you who have not seen it, or who have just heard it on the radio, I encourage you to watch the clip here, then you can see the body language and the context.

DC was quoting a former Labour MP, now a GP who seemed to be supporting the health reforms - and he said that this Labour MP had lost his seat in the last election. AE was saying - he didn't lose the election - he stood down.

Badly briefed DC!

He may have said "Calm Down" to a male MP but would never have said "Calm Down Dear" to a male MP.

DC in his position of male privilidge has made the remark based on his upbringing/our culture/casual sexism/that advert*.

A test for sexist remarks:

1.Is the remark designed to make women (but not men) uncomfortable?

2.Does the remark limit women?s (but not men?s) freedom of expression or behavior?

3.Is the remark likely to make those who hear it take women less than seriously because of their gender?

4.Could the remark also be applied to men and make sense?

5.Does the remark make generalizations about individuals based on gender?

Now - it is easy to make mistakes in the heat of the moment, and betray your underlying prejudices. However, what he needs to do now is to apologise properly.

(BTW that advert is hugely sexist. Tolerating that sort of advert perpetuates casual sexist remarks in society).

^Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings. So if you agree that you're a human being - then I'll see you over at the feMNism section Grin

JoanofArgos · 27/04/2011 15:48

Yeah - he's quoting an advert. A SEXIST f*cking advert!

It is a remark specifically to put women in their place and make them feel stupid - like, I have to admit, when Prescott accused the French politician whose name I can't remember of being 'tired and emotional'. If you said it to men, it's intended offence would lie in the fact that it attributes a sort of hysteria and emotionalism to them which is generally thought of as womanly.

Swedes2 · 27/04/2011 15:49

I don't think it's sexist at all.

JoanofArgos · 27/04/2011 15:49

'its', sorry.

sharbie · 27/04/2011 15:50

sexist and patronising.he is a twerp - it was also a saying that was around about 5 years ago.he would never have said it to a man.

JoanofArgos · 27/04/2011 15:51

Of course it is! It is patronizing in its use of 'dear' in a context in which the adversary is anything but 'dear', and by telling someone to 'calm down', you are implying that the cause of their anger is silly and that they are 'getting in a state', rather than taking their point - and their anger - seriously.

WhereYouLeftIt · 27/04/2011 15:51

Haven't viewed the clip, just heard it on Radio 4. What an arse! As for trying to pass it off as 'humour' - hasn't anyone told Cameron that a joke is only funny the first time you hear it? he repeated it again, and again ....

Shows a distinct lack of judgement.

sharbie · 27/04/2011 15:52

let him keep digging i say.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 27/04/2011 15:53

Thanks for the link, forkful. What a tosser (and yes, I do say that about women as well). I think the faces of the other people speak volumes ? men grinning and guffawing, women carefully looking away or looking seriously pissed off.

baildonwen · 27/04/2011 15:53

If the GDP figures had been negative instead of positive the Labour Party wouldn't be saying anything about this at all. This is a storm in a teacup that is being blown up by the Labour Party for their own political advantage with the local elections 8 days away.

JoanofArgos · 27/04/2011 15:56

Really Baildon? If the figures had been negative, Labour would have been too gleeful even to notice such arrant public school sexism? I think not.

QuelleLeJeff · 27/04/2011 16:00

I don't think so Baildonwen.

It was difficult to guage the reaction of any of the women on the government's front bench...

oh

Imps7 · 27/04/2011 16:04

It was open to her to use the same term back to him if she didn't like it:

eg "Be quiet, dear, and listen to me" in a calm yet calculated tone.

The worst reaction a lady can have to sexist twats is to be offended - it adds fuel to their fires. Better (and more fun) to outwit them, surely?

Swedes2 · 27/04/2011 16:06

It may be puerile (much of what goes on in the commons is puerile), but I struggle to see it as sexist.

JoanofArgos · 27/04/2011 16:06

It bloody wasn't open to her - she would not have been able to stand up and take the floor and say it, that's not how the house of commons works.

and Hmm at the best way for a 'lady' to deal with sexism.

Imps7 · 27/04/2011 16:09

Not "best"; "better".

forkful · 27/04/2011 16:10

Imps7 - we don't know how she responded because she wasn't miked up and at the dispatch box!

The best way to equality for women is to challenge sexism and sexist remarks. There is no one was to go about this, (www.stopsexistremarks.org/2011/01/31/%e2%80%9ccomebacks%e2%80%9d-to-sexist-remarks/ some ideas here), but not showing offence (if you feel it) will not help change attitudes or behaviours.

JoanofArgos · 27/04/2011 16:10

I think if something's offensive, being offended is the correct response. Whether you're a 'lady' or not.

forkful · 27/04/2011 16:10

Comebacks to sexist remarks

iwerta · 27/04/2011 16:11

It was infantile but so is most of the behaviour that goes on in the House of Commons so I can't say I'm that bothered.

thebestisyettocome · 27/04/2011 16:11

It's sexist because he wouldn't use the term to a man and it was a calculated way of using his opponent's gender as a way of discrediting her argument.

GerardButler · 27/04/2011 16:11

Bloody hell CALM DOWN DEARS!

It was a joke for crying out loud, typical over-sensitive, faux outrage types (otherwise known as Labour supporters) making a mountain out of a molehill for cheap political gain.

How do some of you even make it out of your front door without being completely 'outraged' by the world? How weak minded do you have to be to actually care about a tiny nothing comment like this?

Stop the faux outrage, not a single one of you is offended and you know it. It was quite clearly A JOKE and not meant to be taken seriously.

Jeez!