Just me, or is it a bit weird for John McDonnell to refer to Rebecca L-B as "my Becky"?

[ItalianinLondon]

It just seems a bit icky to me! At best, paternalistic. At worst, kind of posessive / weird / yuk.

I took it as a genuine term of endearment personally.

Does this mean he’s knobbed her?,

Lol, I wasn't thinking that! It just seems a touch... possessive / sexist, perhaps? And doesn't do any good for her image of being a Corbyn / McDonnell pawn...

I think it's supposed to sound endearing. However I also think it could end up being counter-productive. The membership who want a change from Corbyn may be reluctant to vote for someone who looks like they will be more of the same.

If one of my senior male colleagues referred to me like that I would consider it deeply unprofessional. Is there some personal connection between them which means it is a term of affection rather than a reference to a fellow professional?

@ElloBrian ditto. And my workplace is hardly deeply enlightened!