To think taking a baby to Parliament is ridiculous?

[iawbuwes]

Stella Creasy MP taking her baby to the Commons - I think it is utterly ridiculous.

Everyone else has to find childcare. Labour have lost the plot and don’t seem to care what people think (I say this as a life long Labour vote who cannot stomach voting for Labour as it now is). Parliament even have a nursery! www.parliament.uk/about/working/nursery/

It’s a workplace
If she is allowed to take her baby to work then why shouldn’t she

You obviously dont actually know why she is doing it. Maybe you should go and read about why she is doing it.

As if there aren't already plenty of threads on this.

Once more for those at the back, she's making a point about workplace discrimination and the problems women face trying to get into politics.

Was it just to breastfeed or were they there crawling around the benches?

Other countries manage it perfectly well.

If the baby was older then obviously childcare would be more sensible, but a very tiny baby in a sling is eminently portable and likely to be asleep.

Obviously she would be asked to leave by the Speaker if the baby causes a disruption (I'm sure she would in any case).

It’s not the same as other workplaces though, MPs don’t get maternity leave do they so if she is to carry out her duties then she’ll need to take her baby with her.

The hours MPs have to work can be incredibly long. Many MPs don’t live in London, they often have a small flat and the rest of the family stay at their main home.
There aren’t many nurseries that are open after 6pm so who would look after the baby in the evenings if the rest of the family are not in London?

The baby is 3 months old. She should be on maternity leave but MPs don’t get any.

She couldn't take maternity leave so what is she supposed to do?

Gosh what an original and insightful post that definitely hasn’t missed the point

@RedDeadRoach

As if there aren't already plenty of threads on this.

Once more for those at the back, she's making a point about workplace discrimination and the problems women face trying to get into politics.

Is an inarticulate way of making the point that does more damage to the cause.

The baby was in a sling. Not running about with sticky hands she wants to do the job she was elected for she wasn't there all day she was making a point. I don't see the HoC as a regular "work place" I don't see the big deal

She should work from home.

YABU

Why was it ridiculous?

She was doing her job, the baby was asleep on her. Nothing was disrupted. Is the mere sight of a baby in a workplace somehow offensive?

I thought the same until I read that politicians can’t get ‘cover’ or take maternity leave. If this is a job, why are mums (and dads!) not entitled to the same benefits related to maternity/paternity leave/pay as everybody else.

Happy to be educated/corrected on this, as I’m about it all!

I am a working mother. I don't understand the point she's trying to make. I don't like the message that a full-time job with lots of responsibility can be done in parallel to looking after the needs of a 3 month old baby without any childcare. Because it cannot, and this message doesn't help working mothers at all.

There are plenty of threads on this already.

this has been

done to death

1. She is not allowed maternity cover.

1. She is not allowed to vote from home, that was removed.

1. She can't ask someone to vote on her behalf.

Because of this he only option is to take a very young baby with her into the chamber, when she should be at home with the baby.

There needs to be a locum arrangement for MRS on maternity and paternity leave. Then this issue wouldn't arise

It is unreasonable for elected representatives not to be given maternity leave - they are elected as individuals. But if they are speaking in parliament they can surely find childcare for that time period. And maybe your term in parliament is not the ideal time to have a baby, give that your focus is meant to be on your constituents.

@Pippa12

I thought the same until I read that politicians can’t get ‘cover’ or take maternity leave. If this is a job, why are mums (and dads!) not entitled to the same benefits related to maternity/paternity leave/pay as everybody else.

Happy to be educated/corrected on this, as I’m about it all!

It's not technically a job is it? Don't they get a stipend rather than a salary?

Rather: unreasonable TO be given maternity leave

@iawbuwes

It is unreasonable for elected representatives not to be given maternity leave - they are elected as individuals. But if they are speaking in parliament they can surely find childcare for that time period. And maybe your term in parliament is not the ideal time to have a baby, give that your focus is meant to be on your constituents.

Said no one about a man ever