Where are all the talented female leaders of our generation?

[sst1234]

Watching the Lib Dem leadership debate between Ed Davey and Laila Moran as it happens to be on the BBC news channel right now. Politic leanings aside, the only thing I’ve been left thinking is where are all the talented female leaders of this generation, if this the best that is put forward to lead a political party.

Not giving Ed Davey a free pass but he at least had some credible answers to questions such sovereign wealth fund. Doesn’t matter whether we agree with it, had some substance in his answers. Laila Moran PN the other hand was embarrassing to watch. She was just reciting the same cringe soundbites that had absolutely no meaning at all. The theme of worse than mediocre female leaders continues across all parties, you only have to see Long Bailey recently. Wouldn’t it be great to see a convincing female politician, whether you agree with her politics or not.

This thread is not about comparing current crop of male politicians to female ones, I am aware we don’t have great male ones either. But the women are really lowering the bar for other women. And it seems such a shame as they are the role models for future female leaders.

I'd say that it's still not something women are overly encouraged to do. There are lots of female doctors, lawyers etc but politics is still a 'boys game'.

If you also think about class, lots of Etonian men etc whereas female MPs tend to be more working class from working class areas. Which doesn't do as well in politics.

So clearly upper class women aren't encouraged to run for parliament.

They are probably struggling with childcare and discrimination against females of childbirthing age before they even get a chance to think about doing a career such as politics.

In other countries, it seems.

There are some (eg Rachel Reeves) but they weren't given much chance to shine in the Johnson or Corbyn cabinets given the insistence on ideological purity over competence.

Having worked 'near' Parliamentary politics in my youth (which put me off becoming an MP for good) I think the unsociable hours, the high level of abuse, the still old fashioned workings of the HoC etc. do put people and in particular women off.

Think MPs of all stripes often suffer from a lack of hinterland. Nowadays you do your time as a researcher, a councillor, contest a few unwinnable seats, get given a winnable one. All of this seems to require a near fanatical devotion to your party, often at the expense of another career.

Not sure it will improve with the new crop of MPs selected under Corbyn and Johnson - all chosen for political devotion/willingness to toe the party line above everything else.

@Sigh81

True. I guess one other route into politics for talented females could be straight from other high profile careers. We tend to see this with men where successful business leaders, lawyers come into politics, but never women, none that I’m aware of anyway. I know there are fewer women at the top of other professions to start with but still.

Theresa may was prime minister last year

Granted, her being talented is arguable

Green party and snp have female leaders currently too

Nicola Sturgeon is a good public speaker, that’s true, but talented is another argument. If you peel back the layers of Scottish govt performance on health and education, it leaves a lot to be desired. But I don’t to want to drive the discussion towards political views, so I’ll stop there. I guess I was more thinking about a leader who has a vision (popular or not) and they look credible and get the job done (again whether we agree with their politics or not). It’s sad to see so many female politicians just falling short.

Looking after kids.

In New Zealand, Germany and Taiwan.

Taking selfies?

So not so much this generation but ever?

Cant think of any talented men either tbf

I guess I was more thinking about a leader who has a vision (popular or not) and they look credible and get the job done (again whether we agree with their politics or not). It’s sad to see so many female politicians just falling short.

To be honest, I can't think of many male politicians this could be said about.

Finland?

If we ever reach true equality I think a key marker will be that women will finally be able to get on with their shit without being held up as role model or criticised for failing as one. Does anyone talk about male politicians as role models? Are they supposed to act as an inspiration for men?

I was more thinking about a leader who has a vision (popular or not) and they look credible and get the job done (again whether we agree with their politics or not).

I suppose it depends who is looking. I wouldn't describe our current PM as looking credible or agree that he gets the job done, but 43.6% of those who voted in the last GE voted Tory, so I assume they disagree with me. He certainly has a 'vision', too, but I suspect my understanding of what his vision is differs a great deal from that of those who voted for his party.

Interestingly, I think Starmer looks credible and is competent enough to get a job done- but I don't know what his vision is. I knew what Corbyn's vision was, but he definitely lacked credibility as a leader, and competence is not the first word that comes to mind when I look at the years of his leadership.

user1471510836
In New Zealand, Germany and Taiwan.

This

I think the better female politicians get weeded out during their careers. Think about the well-known female politicians - Jess Philips, Diane Abbott, Nicola Sturgeon - they have got to where they are by being loud, aggressive and above all playing party politics to a tee. Any decent woman would have long given up on a political career before they got to the point of standing to be an MP. It's not worth the character assassinations and petty abuse one gets from their own female colleagues, let alone from men, the opposition and the general public.