AIBU to question criticism of a female MP’s outfit in maiden speech?

[Browningpers]

Spectator article asking whether Hannah Spencer’s outfit detracted from her maiden speech. Seen similar elsewhere too.

I can’t ever recall the same being asked of a male politician.

Article by a woman too.

AIBU?

I don't see Hannah Spencer as a victim here. If she'd turned up in an anonymous looking suit and had an article written about her clothes then yes, that would have been different. But I think she knows exactly what she's doing and that The Spectator are idiots for falling for it.

That's not true. Parliament isn't a fashion show and the rules are the same for everyone. Women MPs don't need to worry about fashion, just about looking professional - something most achieve because it's not hard to do. Rachel Reeves has about 3 or 4 suits and always looks presentable. Kemi Badenoch, Florence Eshalomi and Daisy Cooper are also invariably smart and tidy. Nicola Stugeon and Angela Merkel both wore limited variations on 1 appropriate outfit for the job. Spencer is showing disrespect to her position.

The voters voted for her, as she is. If the voters had wanted a grey suit they'd have voted for one.

^^ This is an outdated, technocrat, managerial perspective of what an MP is or what professionalism is.

Hannah Spencer is a representative of her constituents. She has not presented herself as a middle manager in a blazer from Next and there is no need for her to conform to that persona. She is perfectly reasonably dressed to carry out her duties and there is no need for anyone to police her choices.

So nothing. Just saying if someone wears an awful outfit and someone else says it’s awful then I can’t get too wound up about it that’s all

I met Hannah Spencer last week at the NW Greens AGM. She fielded questions from the floor for 45 minutes about her 1st week in Parliament. She had intelligence, wit, humour, candour and empathy. Some things we are not used to seeing in our politicians. I think she is phenomenal and her choice of outfit is the least interesting thing about her.

It doesn't matter how she presented herself. She has a responsible position that comes with a massive duty to her constituency and to the UK and her outfits should show a level of respect for that honour. If she can't even manage the basics of not dressing like a clown then there can be no confidence in her ability to do the rest, no matter how many people say she's brilliant with no evidence whatsoever to back that up. It's just not good enough.

Her clothes are not what will determine if she's good enough.

The MPs who have been found guilty of sleaze and corruption all wore suits.

Get to fuck, she can wear what she likes

I don't think she was dressed like a clown at all and that it's silly to say she was. But, while I understand Green Party supporters (I am not one in case that isn't clear) being excited by her election, I think she's taking on an intensely divided constituency and that she'll need every ounce of that intelligence, wit, candour, etc to represent all of her new constituents fairly. I notice Zack Polanski didn't fancy the job despite being a Mancunian and I'm not surprised.

What a clever and well thought out response!

And no, she can't wear what she wants if she's an MP. She should look smart and professional. It's called respect - something completely lacking in this reply to me. The cheering on of her ridiculous outfit is laughable. The thing is, being an MP is about duty and responsibility. It's not the Hannah Spencer show.

Are you Matthew Goodwin? You seem very invested in this. I’ve still yet to see anyone explain why trousers, shirt/blouse and waistcoat is an unprofessional outfit. Maybe you could do the honours?

Tbh if a male MP gave his maiden speech looking like he was dressed for a Teletubbies cameo I'd think he was an idiot who had misread the occasion too.

Never heard of him. Are other posters very invested or just the ones who disagree with you? She wore a shirt and waistcoat in the same way Mr Tumble wears a shirt and waistcoat.

She doesn't. She's just wearing bright colours. The combo is not to my taste. But I really don't see how she is wearing something that is not acceptable and smart. Also, it is hardly the first time someone has entered the Commons dressed a little usually. There have been plenty of dandies and sometimes eccentrically dresses members of the House over the last few hundred years.

Well, I think she does. The bright pink shirt, scalloped lavender waistcoat, and high half-ponytail scream children's TV presenter to me, and since it's under discussion, I feel pretty comfortable sharing that opinion.

In terms of the dandies from the last few centuries, Mumsnet has failed to make me aware of them (yes, Mumsnet, I AM blaming you 😉) so I haven't had a chance to form an opinion. If you'd care to share some, I am sure I will be able to offer a critique.

As a taster, I always thought Boris was a bit of a dick for his crappy hair offering.

Here's a link to images of a previous incumbent of the seat: https://x.com/i/status/2032850487674831354

As just a quick example of recent dressing.

I don't personally like the scalloped waistcoat - but plenty of people where/ have worn similar.

There's always far more commentary on the clothes female politicians wear than men.

You’ve never heard of the person who came second in the by election, yet you’re very certain that this candidate isn’t taking her job seriously? That’s quite a strong opinion, based on… her outfit?

Clearly some strong view on both sides but you seem particularly upset about it. Still, at least you acknowledge that in fact the outfit is smart and professional, just not in colours of your choosing. Which is absolutely fine, you can wear whatever you like.

Hahaha!! Oh dear, that is a genuinely horrific selection of sartorial choices, surely he must have been doing it on purpose, or for a bet or something, he can't genuinely have had such consistently terrible taste, can he? I will say he probably doesn't have a face for kids' TV, but his wardrobe is definitely in the right ballpark!

I think most of us would have remained oblivious, and unaffected, by her outfit were it not for random critiques of it. It seems spectacularly unintelligent to me that people think this matters, citing a dress code they clearly haven’t understood and a tradition and environment they are obviously unfamiliar with.It makes me despair a little really.

I think this is the point though. Many MPs make sartorial choices that are not always to the taste of many. But it is not a new thing. And it does not impact whether they are effective at their jobs or not. Whilst people do and have commented on outfits, it is not able that really nasty comments seem to be mainly aimed at women. Which is not a surprise, but it is disappointing.

It may be your point. It isn't mine.

Obviously.

Did he? I'm not in the constituency so why would I know or care who the runners-up were? And considering I've repeatedly said she looks like a scruffy meff I have no idea how you've misunderstood that and said I've acknowledged she's smart and professional, that's just weird. Unless you've got me mixed up with someone else?

I think female politicians are more emotional than men, but this is natural.