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

[brislereg]

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.

I like her budget. No issues with it whatsoever.

Calling Rishi a token is a bit much. Cameron made a point of trying to get more ethnic minority candidates, it was a real aim of his.

Well, lucky Tory you. 3 women leaders, 30% success rate if you like that kind of thing. Dropping to 25% in a couple of days. Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves appears to be very accomplished. Reeves v. Truss? Whose reputation is going to survive?

I think Truss did exactly what she said she'd do and "they" put her in because certain elements of the establishment stood to make a lot of money from her disaster. She brought it on herself, perhaps, but the party knew exactly what would happen, and that her premiership would fail spectacularly.

Whilst not in power. We can both agree that the erosion of women's rights happened whilst the Tories were in power.

Good for her and I approve her budget.

Well, yes. If you have had a mediocre career and suddenly people are clamouring to shovel you into the top job, you'd expect a short pause for thought "er, this is odd. Why me?" but not for Liz. "Me, it's mine, its my destiny, listen to ME". Tsk.

I'm not a Tory.

I think that in 2024, the real issue is that she needed to preface a serious issue of a defining budget in the role of Chancellor with it. I give literally zero shits what sex a politician is provided they are qualified. That should be the norm, not the exception.

I've always thought the same OP. I've seen many comments on MN today about the first female chancellor but the lack of female leaders in the same party is apparently acceptable. Nothing like blind loyalty.

@brislereg "I'm not a Tory."

Course you're not, Stanley.

@spuddy4
"I've always thought the same OP. I've seen many comments on MN today about the first female chancellor but the lack of female leaders in the same party is apparently acceptable. Nothing like blind loyalty"

Of course it's not acceptable. Don't be silly.

This is a big part of the problem with political discourse atm. Is it not possible for a person who is sympathetic to Labour's ideals to also be critical of something they have said today? Without being accused of being a Tory?

I hesitate to call myself a Labour voter as I this year I didn't vote for them, although I have in the past. I spoilt my ballot alongside many other women over on FWR. However, I have never voted Tory.

@CurlewKate the comments about how shiny RR hair was got me, we'd never say that about a male chancellor but here it was on MN.

I think it is an important milestone.

The same way having Sunak as PM was.

Forget party politics. This is about our country firsts.

Same was as when we had our first female PM it was a big deal.

Ah, the 'feminists' from the FRW towers. So good at mental gymnastics they should be in the Olympics. It doesn't surprise me they don't think the first female chancellor of the Exchequer is a good thing. They think Badenoch is a feminist 😬

Well, there is a glass ceiling to break.
A female leader whose work we approve of, rather than just being a woman.
I am not fond in any way of the tory female PMs so far. I actually want to cry when I remember them.....

I agree with you, OP. It would have been better for them not to mention it and RR's work could have spoken for itself. Their gloating only serves as a reminder that there has apparently never been a woman good enough to lead the party.

Long overdue, but I'm happy to see a woman in the #2 political position in the country. Good luck to her.

I used to think this. Until I went to the Labour women's conference and was surrounded by high achieving women like Reeves. Highly inspiring to see women like me. Has spurred me on to apply for a promotion I didn't think I was good enough for. And I got it!

she is an embarrassment to women.

women will continue to be seen as inferior in the work environment if they keep on highlighting the fact they are women (as in they are different to the norm who wouldnt bother mentioning gender, before anyone starts).

just get on with the job, not that shes very good at it...

and they were all complimentary comments. there were always plenty of NEGATIVE comments about Boris' hair. nothing to do with being female.

Really?
I think the general consensus is that she's delivered a great budget not that she's bad at her job and she is certainly not an embarrassment to women!

What a ridiculous post!

They're 2 separate things surely? So people can't comment that they're pleased to see a highly competent woman in a position that has never been filled by a woman before because there haven't been any female Labour PMs? 🫠

What a stupid comment..an embarrassment? Why?

Men and women are both seen and see themselves very differently. Thousands of years of conditioning impact us all and its very hard to overturn.

One major issue is women tend to feel they have to be perfect to apply for a role. If they feel they can't fulfil all the criteria they won't do it. Men on the other hand will apply if they fulfil some of the criteria.

You cannot be what you cannot see is a cliche but very true.

The Value iof Difference by Bina Kandola is an excellent read and explains in scientific terms why we are different and what we can do about it.