To think it's time for a woman to be Prime Minister

[Cinnamon77]

It doesn't look like Starmer is going to be PM for much longer but all the favourites to replace him are men.

Every female PM we've had has been Conservative - no woman has ever led the Labour Party before.

Wouldn't it be an improvement to have a left wing woman running the country, like we've seen elsewhere? There are many good female MPs in Labour like Raynor, Mahmood, Huq, Phillips, Siddiq, Leadbeater, Thornberry, Dodds, Kendall, Haigh, Butler and Reeves (Ellie, not Rachel).

Why aren't any of them contenders and wouldn't we be doing better if one of them was in charge?

Yes, ok, we can argue till the cows come home but from what I can see those 3 women didn't do any wonders for the country any more than all those men!

Exactly. Fgs, why should a female PM be more concerned about gynaecology than a man? As I said upthread, if such things are important, and I’m not denying they might be, then they’re important to everyone, not just women.

I don’t like this idea that there are ‘women’s thing’ and ‘men’s things’. Health and employment conditions are everyone’s concern, or should be. We don’t necessarily need a woman for these reasons.

A woman PM should focus on the most pressing matters at the time, as a man would…which are likely to be the economy, the NHS, immigration policy and foreign policy.

"Probably the least of people's problems"

Sexism and sexual abuse against women - is probably one of the biggest problems in the world..

If we have disrespect of women at the top, that disrespect filters down through society.

I have talked to men from countries where there is a female leader. The men are so much more advanced and respectful from those countries, than the men from countries where there is a male leader

This is a silly argument. For what it’s worth (very little in the big scheme) some of the most unpleasant medics I’ve had have been women. That’s purely anecdotal, and a chance sample- totally unscientific, but I don’t know why you think female docs are so infallible!

Of course its not a silly argument. Many women go to female doctors/ female midwives because they feel more comfortable.

My cousin just requested to have a female midwife, not male. The hospital did what she wanted.

I have talked to men from countries where there is a female leader. The men are so much more advanced and respectful from those countries, than the men from countries where there is a male leader

We have had female leaders in the U.K., of course. I’m not sure men in the 1980s were any more advanced and respectful than men in the 1990s. Or that men in the period 6 September 2022 to 25 October 2022 were any different to men just before or just after that period.

It does also depend on the female leader of course. As i said, Margaret Thatcher was very masculine. Did she do anything to advance gender equality?

The former female prime minister of Finland on the other hand, has dedicated a lot of her time to promoting gender equality.

"Finland's female leaders, particularly former Prime Minister Sanna Marin, have focused on promoting gender equality through policies and their own actions, though the country has historically been a leader in women's rights. Marin's government aimed to close the gender pay gap, encourage more fathers to take parental leave, and promote a four-day work week to support work-life balance. Her administration also included a majority of women, and she has become a prominent voice for gender equality on the global stage. "

I also met a number of female GPs in my local practice, who were among the worst doctors I've ever come across. There are male doctors like that too, without a doubt, and this is precisely why I think people should only be selected for their jobs on merit rather than on the basis of their gender. I couldn't care less if my doctor or dentist is a man or a woman. I just want them to be competent and professional.

Those females didn't sexually abuse you though did they? I have heard about a lot of women who were sexually abused by male doctors.

It does also depend on the female leader of course. As i said, Margaret Thatcher was very masculine.

So now it also needs to be not just a woman but also a feminine woman? 😂

No, they didn't sexually abuse me but neither did any male doctors or dentists!

Sorry, you lost me at Raynor. She is not fit for office.

A woman that is interested in gender equality - would definitely advance the nation.

Margaret Thatcher wasn't like that at all.

The female leader of Finland WAS like that.

“It needs to be a woman, but only one I approve of and that follows my policy ideals”

😂😂😂

As we used to say at the time, “Thatcher may be a woman but she ain't no sister!”

No one should be selected on the basis of whether they are male or female, it should be because they are the best person dow the job.

I can’t think of any female at the moment that is fit to be Prime minister.

I’m not sure I can think of any man fit to be Prime Minister either.

Which is probably more of an issue with our current crop of politicians than what sex they happen to be.

I’m not saying patients shouldn’t have a choice. That’s a separate issue. Just that being female doesn’t guarantee a sympathetic approach.

You have said a couple of times that you “are confident” in your opinion. Your words, not mine

Marin was criticised for gender imbalance in her cabinet. At the time of its formation, the Marin cabinet was noted for having a significant female majority, with 12 women ministers and 7 men ministers.

But I am guessing you approve of that because that imbalance favours women? 😂

Yes, I am confident in my opinion that people should be selected for jobs on merit but the above comment says my confidence in doctors etc is misplaced. I don't recall making any arguments about my confidence in doctors.

I agree that we are faced with pretty dire choices all around regardless of their gender. I just despair sometimes looking at the current lot and their opposition! Given that I feel that way, I am not convinced the next general election is going to help!

I definitely prefer to have a woman GP.

If you mean by gender equality jobs being allocated on some kind of quota system - eg, there’ve got to be equal numbers of men and women - or selecting people for posts on the basis of gender, then please, no.

I want the best person for the job, please.