Feminism: chat
Babies barred from house of commons... WTAF
AdamRyan · 30/06/2022 09:30
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61987339
Unbelievable that MPs who are mums can not take their babies into the HoC and therefore not be able to vote or participate in debates.
MPs don't get maternity leave either.
This seems like its going to be a significant hindrance to getting more female representation and also like we are going backwards in terms of women's participation in public life
AdamRyan · 30/06/2022 09:40
Because they are not allowed to take maternity leave like the rest of us. Or have a job share or work part time or the other things that enable working mothers in the real world.
Because its an elected role, the person who was voted in is the only person who can do it.
If those things were in place I'd agree with you, but they aren't.
IncompleteSenten · 30/06/2022 09:40
I don't think it is appropriate to take your baby into work.
I can't see the checkout assistant at tesco with a baby in her arms, or a doctor doing rounds with her infant in a sling. Answering phones in an office while rocking your baby in the pram. I mean, it's just not appropriate.
UnityO · 30/06/2022 09:43
I can see why it's not appropriate to take a baby into the workplace but the underlying issue here is that women feel they have to bring their babies to work because maternity arrangements for MPs and the way the HOC operates are not appropriate at all for new mothers (and fathers).
Whatelsecouldibecalled · 30/06/2022 09:43
@IncompleteSenten but a check out assistant or doctor can have maternity leave. An MP cannot.
So a female MP has now been forced to make a choice. Be an MP or be a mother. You can't do both.
Utterly shit. Fine say you can't bring your child to work I get that. But allow maternity leave then. You should not be discriminated against for having a child
grey12 · 30/06/2022 09:44
I don't agree with taking babies into the House of Commons like that but I also don't agree with not having maternity leave
At least they should provide child care on site. While the mother is in session, baby is with carer, when mother is more available, she can be with the baby.
MintJulia · 30/06/2022 09:45
As a single working mum, I agree with this. I wouldn't have taken my baby into the office because I don't believe it is professional.
Given the number of women of childbearing age in parliament, I would expect there to be a creche or some other form of chargeable childcare available to allow MPs (male and female) to carry out their duties
RedToothBrush · 30/06/2022 09:46
The HoC has an onsite crèche.
What exactly is it for?
I do think that MPs need to have maternity leave and thats where the argument should be being made.
These women MPs are trying to have the wrong argument if they focus on taking the baby to the chamber. I don't think its appropriate.
AnyFucker · 30/06/2022 09:48
If it were male MP’s being forced to tote their babies around the workplace you can bet your your last penny there would be subsidised childcare available. Like all the other free/subsidised stuff that these priveliged people avail themselves of
That is the angle I see
MrsSkylerWhite · 30/06/2022 09:50
AnyFucker · Today 09:48
If it were male MP’s being forced to tote their babies around the workplace you can bet your your last penny there would be subsidised childcare available. Like all the other free/subsidised stuff that these priveliged people avail themselves of
That is the angle I see“
I believe there is.
SnowyLamb · 30/06/2022 09:55
Misstes · 30/06/2022 09:52
I agree that babies shouldn’t be there when serious debates are going ahead. But the government must find a solution where they can come to work but be left in a safe environment during debates etc where the mum can pop out and breastfeed if needed.
There is an on site nursery?
MandyMotherOfBrian · 30/06/2022 09:57
MandyMotherOfBrian · 30/06/2022 09:56
I think, not sure if I’m remembering correctly, but the issue Stella Creasey had was her baby was so young, and breastfeeding, that that wasn’t viable
AnyFucker · 30/06/2022 09:54
I believe there is
I don’t see the issue then 🤷♂️
And of course if it closes at 6.30pm, also an obvious issue
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