To be so happy at so many women in the cabinet

[Standupcitizen]

Anyone else absolutely thrilled to see women represented equally in the cabinet for the first time ever?

22 appointments. 11 women, 11 men. It seems completely deliberate. Previously the highest % of females in the cabinet was something like 38%. First female chancellor in history as well.

I feel elated that for the first time in my life, we have equality of the sexes in government.

Whatever you think of starmer, the labour party or of the women in question, this is absolutely huge to me, i feel ridiculously emotional about it. I think as a woman who has been dismissed, talked over, belittled, discriminated against and overlooked for promotion in favour of men in the workplace - if the government can do it, then other companies have no excuse.

Is that you Hamza Yousaf?

Frankly, I could not care less about the sex split, racial make up, disability status, social background or any other group marker in the cabinet. Best people available to Starmer for each post. That’s it. Only qualifying condition that should be considered.

I am so pleased Yvette Cooper is in the cabinet. She is an excellent politician.

I hadn't realised she had said that. 😳

There are two ethnicities I could identify as. I deliberately choose the one that people can't use to say "ooh she only got the job to fill a quota". Because of the attitudes displayed on this thread.

This is a brilliant thread though. Particularly the posters up in arms about state educated cabinet ministers. Maybe that 20% VAT money will make our kids as good as yours eh?

More importantly, how do THEY know they're women? 😂

I have my doubts he'll do either.

I think we need to see massive improvements in the country before we get too excited about this.

You think we're doomed because there's hardly any privately educated MPs in the new cabinet.

So what is it about that last bunch of over-promoted incompetent greedy sycophantic toffs that you'll think we'll miss?

What a bizarre thing to say. So from your point of few, any appraisal of the impact of a politician - or anyone in authority - is "bashing" them. Are we all just meant to doff our caps and touch our forelocks?

@Scammersarescum

It's a token gesture to try and buy back women's votes

If he'd publically appointed the cabinet before the election, you might have a point. But he didn't so you don't.

Educated beyond their capabilities or intelligence!

What people saying I don't care about gender/race/disability I just want the best person for the job don't seem to understand is that sexism, racism and disablism, classism etc means that typically we don't get the best people for the job. We never have. White elite privately educated men are not the cream of the crop in terms of intelligence or aptitude for government. It's just that they have been privileged in their education and cultural capital and have not been discriminated against in the same way as others so have been much more likely to rise to the top. Representation really matters because our society has never been equal. A more representative government is really important because it means that the needs across society are more likely to be addressed by people with lived experience and in depth understanding of the issues.

Moaning about privately educated people being discriminated against? Again private education does not confer a god given right to govern or a boost to intelligence it just helps people get ahead through networking and confidence. And I presume you weren't bothered about discrimination against state educated individuals in previous governments.

I agree. She has been missed over the last few years.

I think the new cabinet and their supporting teams are impressive choices. With the exception of Lammy. Sorry, but I think he's an arrogant fool.

I'm delighted with the choices Starmer made. Looking forward to see them deliver now.

Hmm, can't say I'm bothered that it looks equal. I hope they are actually able to do their jobs and haven't just been given a role because they are women and labour need to appear to support women.

Welsh Labour has a black leader.

I think that Keir will probably have to personally approve every major decision made by any of his Cabinet. He can't afford to take a risk this early on especially with those who have no experience with front-line political decision making.

Any chance you could take he time to compare the ethnic make up of the cabinet and the country?

Have you taken the time to consider that perhaps previous Prime Ministers simply picked people like themselves, rather than those who were best for the job?

NZ has had many women in cabinet for years.

They almost all pretend not to know who a woman is or why it's important.

They have done nothing to change nz's extraordinary high levels of male violence against women. Maori women are particularly vulnerable to male violence & Maori male perpetrators get "cultural points" which diminishes their responsibility for their violence against women & children.

It's tragically sad & disappointing.

See I don’t understand this - I’ve listened to David’s radio show every week for years, he’s always come across as a gentle, thoughtful, not at all arrogant man - he speaks to even the worst callers with more respect and tolerance than any of the others.

@FauxOutrage your comments are silly, snobbish & contradictory. So pleased we have the grownups in charge in Downing Street.

It strikes me that Starmer is confident enough in his own abilities that he has appointed people who are hard working and knowledgeable about their briefs and will not be afraid to disagree with him around the Cabinet table, but will be loyal in public.

A stark contrast to previous Cabinets who all nodded along and agreed to get their positions but then spent their days arguing in public.