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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think Reeves being the first female chancellor isn't something to brag about?

82 replies

brislereg · 30/10/2024 15:49

I'm not unhappy about the budget but her and Starmer have both cited this as a milestone, apparently forgetting that the Tories have had three female leaders who have been PMs whilst Labour have had none.

I really don't think as a party they are as much of a friend to women that they claim to be.

OP posts:
username7891 · 30/10/2024 15:53

I'm delighted that we finally have the first female chancellor in 800 years. I'll take any win.

Lengokengo · 30/10/2024 15:54

I am very pleased about having a female chancellor. And one who is actually qualified to be one.

Movinghouseatlast · 30/10/2024 15:56

Those 3 leaders were hardly friends to women were they?!

I think it's absolutely horrendous that we haven't had a female chancellor before, and says a huge amount about how far we have come as women facing discrimination. Which is not very far at all.

I thought what she said was great and it's important to acknowledge it. Women are still hugely underrepresented in senior finance roles due to conscious and unconscious bias that 'women don't do maths'.

Okayornot · 30/10/2024 16:02

Of course it is something to brag about. It's a spectacular achievement for her and also about bloody time Labour started giving women the bigger jobs l. I agree with your point about Labour's attitude to women so it's good to see some movement there. Just because there have been three female prime ministers doesn't diminish the win.

SummerFeverVenice · 30/10/2024 16:04

It is a step forward for we women. The chancellor job being all maths and such has been a last bastion of male pride.

DrizzleMySwizzle · 30/10/2024 16:07

Ah yes, the great PM Liz Truss. A milestone for female achievement.

I feel honoured just to be alive at the same time as that political titan.

#blessed

Thepeopleversuswork · 30/10/2024 16:07

Splendid bit of whataboutery this is.

So by your logic the Tories have had three female PMs, two of whom have been shit, so Rachel Reeves has no right to be proud of having been appointed in an entirely different (but equally important) post…

OK then…

camelfinger · 30/10/2024 16:10

I’m glad she pointed it out. I think RR pitched it right; I’m hoping that she can inspire girls to pursue economic careers, even if indirectly.

Original poster
brislereg · 30/10/2024 16:11

I did not say Reeves should not be proud of her achievement. On a personal level of course it is a big deal.

But the fact is that Labour are sadly quite a bit behind the Tories when it comes to representation of women and minorities in the top roles, so whilst this is a step forward, they have a long way to go and I think it's disingenuous for them to brag about it.

OP posts:
lemonmeringueno3 · 30/10/2024 16:13

I like her, liked her budget and think it is in fact something to be proud of.

Even if you don't vote Labour, it is an important step.

Do people have to snipe at everything.

Changingplace · 30/10/2024 16:15

Lengokengo · 30/10/2024 15:54

I am very pleased about having a female chancellor. And one who is actually qualified to be one.

Absolutely this!

RafaistheKingofClay · 30/10/2024 16:16

It’s an historic moment for the country not just the Labour Party. Do you think they should have just brushed over it without mentioning it?

Icedbear · 30/10/2024 16:16

Jesus, are we still trying to shoe horn this one in? Boris and his gang were fantastic for women, really loved and respected women and women's rights and freedoms, everyone of them 🤔

BIWI · 30/10/2024 16:17

Daft OP.

rwalker · 30/10/2024 16:18

if we want people to be recognised for their merits then we need to leave gender out of it

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 30/10/2024 16:18

DrizzleMySwizzle · 30/10/2024 16:07

Ah yes, the great PM Liz Truss. A milestone for female achievement.

I feel honoured just to be alive at the same time as that political titan.

#blessed

Grin
username7891 · 30/10/2024 16:18

brislereg · 30/10/2024 16:11

I did not say Reeves should not be proud of her achievement. On a personal level of course it is a big deal.

But the fact is that Labour are sadly quite a bit behind the Tories when it comes to representation of women and minorities in the top roles, so whilst this is a step forward, they have a long way to go and I think it's disingenuous for them to brag about it.

Starmer appointed a record 11 women to his cabinet including the first chancellor of the exchequer. The first female chancellor is a big win for women, not just a personal win.

ThatsNotMyTeen · 30/10/2024 16:19

Regardless of your views of her or her budget, it was a truly historic moment.

ichundich · 30/10/2024 16:20

Her sex is neither here nor there for me. That I'm worse off on the other hand...

pinotnow · 30/10/2024 16:20

When you look at who the three leaders were it takes the shine off massively - one basically made herself as masculine as possible and shafted women in as many ways as she could , one was put in place by men as it was a poisoned chalice and then absolutely shat upon by those same men and bullied by them, and the other was, well, Luz Truss...

The women Labour have had in powerful positions have been genuinely impressive.

Original poster
brislereg · 30/10/2024 16:21

Icedbear · 30/10/2024 16:16

Jesus, are we still trying to shoe horn this one in? Boris and his gang were fantastic for women, really loved and respected women and women's rights and freedoms, everyone of them 🤔

Actually, many women felt politically homeless in recent years because those whose political instincts leaned towards Labour were not able to support their position on women's rights. Rosie Duffield was left her own party partly for these reasons. People like Wes Streeting are working hard to put this right but there is still understandable skepticism which makes this portrayal of them as smashing the glass ceiling today a bit galling.

OP posts:
HecatesBees · 30/10/2024 16:21

DrizzleMySwizzle · 30/10/2024 16:07

Ah yes, the great PM Liz Truss. A milestone for female achievement.

I feel honoured just to be alive at the same time as that political titan.

#blessed

Thoughts and prayers love, thoughts and prayers

Colourfulduvets · 30/10/2024 16:23

lemonmeringueno3 · 30/10/2024 16:13

I like her, liked her budget and think it is in fact something to be proud of.

Even if you don't vote Labour, it is an important step.

Do people have to snipe at everything.

This, 100%!

Original poster
brislereg · 30/10/2024 16:23

I agree two of the three were awful but they were women. And they might be about to have another one.

Meanwhile Labour have had none. It doesn't look great for an apparently progressive party.

OP posts:
pinotnow · 30/10/2024 16:23

I mean you only have to tune into the parliament channel for 10 minutes at pmqs to see which benches are more representative of minority groups. It certainly isn't the Tories. Oceans of white middle - aged men there - at least, it was an ocean before July. Now more like a medium sized lake.