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/

The baby is 13 weeks old and breastfed. It’s fair enough to expect a 6-month old to be in a nursery, and for the mother to express milk, but not for a child that young. Fair play to Stella Creasey.

She can take maternity leave but she thinks it isnt fair on her constituents to have nobody to represent them.
The baby didn't disrupt anything, what's the problem?

@DartmoorChef

Nobody forced her to be an MP, and nobody forced her to have a baby either. They were her choices and I don't believe that having a potentially crying child in the house of commons is professional.

Funny how that's never said about men.

Yabu.
It's a baby in a sling. Not a toddler running amok.

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
Has anyone told Boris this?

But but but. Good point. (but please don't refer to him as "Boris"! Boris Johnson is a lying devious charlatan who has sold this country down the river).

Ugh @iawbuwes- how much is the patriarchy paying you to keep women in their place eh?

And actually it is not just maternity leave. There should be a process for MRS on long term sick leave, or compassionate leave or any other reason away from work.

There should be a process for ensuring that the work is done and the constituents represented.

@Bwix

The baby is 13 weeks old and breastfed. It’s fair enough to expect a 6-month old to be in a nursery, and for the mother to express milk, but not for a child that young. Fair play to Stella Creasey.

And thats 100% a fair point!

But thats the point that needs to be made. That full statutory maternity pay should be 6 months not 6 weeks for EVERY mother.

Not that a baby should be in the house of commons.

Why is everybody saying "Did anyone ask that about a male MP?" Yes, male MPs have babies, including BJ, but they haven't brought them to work. Women have done though. Hence the question.

@NeverTheHootenanny

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.

True. Parliament needs to provide an on-site crèche so that a mother can easily go to breastfeed.

@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.

Good grief.

Live and let live. Maybe her childcare let her down. Honestly what harm is a small baby in a sling. Babies, well behaved children and dogs all welcome in my book!

[quote youvegottenminuteslynn]@iawbuwes

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.

Do you think the same about male MPs? They shouldn't have a term in parliament if they are planning on becoming a father, or have recently become a father? You would say that about them would you? [/quote]
Exactly. On that basis Boris Johnson should get the hell out of politics, given that he can't concentrate on his constituents let alone manage to be PM.

@Makingnumber2

Ugh *@iawbuwes*- how much is the patriarchy paying you to keep women in their place eh?

Hahah hilarious. Sorry to disappoint but I am a radical feminist.

@Dishwashersaurous

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

Also, she had a speech to make. You’re right, because she’s elected no one can take her place.

@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.

You had better let Tony Blair, David Cameron and Boris know.

@iawbuwes so would you rather have no women in their 20s/30s/40s in Parliament? Because if you're saying MPs shouldn't have babies while they're in Parliament you're potentially barring a very large number of people (whose experience needs to be represented) from standing for election

My comments apply equally to anyone who expects to be the primary carer of a baby during their term in parliament.

Seriously? It's quite common in other (developed) countries. She doesn't get maternity leave so what should she do with such a tiny breastfed baby? I think she's setting a great example and I'm not especially keen on Labour.

The best solution would be to allow some kind of proxy or remote voting for MPs who are on maternity/paternity leave.

Not unreasonable in itself to say 'no babies in the workplace' but it is unreasonable to make it impossible for MPs to vote by another method.

@MandalaYogaTapestry

Why is everybody saying "Did anyone ask that about a male MP?" Yes, male MPs have babies, including BJ, but they haven't brought them to work. Women have done though. Hence the question.

Men are not breastfeeding babies though.

She couldn't take maternity leave. The baby was asleep in a sling. It didn't inconvenience anyone. It's not comparable to a normal job.

If the baby doesn't cry or create any disturbance, what reason can you have to be annoyed other than 'I don't like seeing women at work with children' or 'I wasn't allowed to take my baby to work so no-one else should be allowed to'?

@EileenGC

And maybe your term in parliament is not the ideal time to have a baby

Do you think this every time a male MP becomes a father? Didn’t think so.

It’s women being against other women that’s the problem very often in this cases.

Tbh I have thought it about Johnson. I don't think young children and being PM is compatible on his case.