Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
News

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

David Cameron apologises for 'sexist' remarks

266 replies

RowanMumsnet · 02/10/2011 10:59

Morning all

The Sunday Times is today reporting that David Cameron is apologising for 'using words that could have been interpreted as sexist' in his replies to two women MPs during Prime Minister's Questions; he's also saying that the Conservatives must to more to appeal to women voters.

The full article is here (£), but - at the risk of bringing the wrath of News International on my head [buttock-clench emoticon] here are the most relevant parts:

'David Cameron has issued a heartfelt apology for disrespectful remarks he made to two female MPs and admitted that the Conservative party must do more to appeal to women voters.

The prime minister acknowledged making a 'terrible mistake' in the House of Commons by using words that could have been interpreted as sexist.

In a highly personal interview, he insisted he was not 'one of the lads' and had not meant to cause offence... Cameron acknowledged he had 'screwed up' at prime minister's questions during exchanges with Labour's Angela Eagle, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, and one of his own backbenchers, Nadine Dorries. He insisted that he had been misunderstood.

'What I find frustrating is that I'm not a sort of 'All right luv, I'm down at the pub tonight' whatever. That's not me. But obviously I've come across in this way,' he said.'

Do let us know what you think.

Thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
LoveBeingAMummyAgain · 02/10/2011 11:57

IMO someone who cares about women and women issues wouldn't have to come out and say I care, it would be obvious from policy and action. As in actions speak louder than words.

Thumbwitch · 02/10/2011 11:58

Oh, forgot to mention, he is an arrogant cock. And his apology is worth nothing - words are pretty meaningless after the event - it's just damage limitation.

TidyDancer · 02/10/2011 12:02

Yeah, I'm a bit sus about this one.

MNHQ, who asked paid you to throw this one out there?

CallMeDave is vile at the best of times, his comments just reinforce that. The apology is hollow, as is everything else he tries to ram down our throats.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 02/10/2011 12:05

LOL!... Sorry... but anyone thinking that Tory HQ would canvass the women of MN as a balanced and impartial focus group on something the PM had said about sexism - let alone pay for the privilege - is having a laugh.

AmorYCohetes · 02/10/2011 12:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MmeLindor. · 02/10/2011 12:07

What is the problem with MNHQ asking for our opinion? I presume that someone (journo most likely) has asked them to ask us and that is what they are doing. I don't know why anyone would think for a moment that MNHQ are promoting the Tories. DC does not come off this in a good way.

Fwiw, I think that if DC was concerned that he was being seen as sexist, he would have apologised at the time and not waited until he was presumably told by a opinion poll that women don't like him.

If your child was cheeky to you last week but only apologised today, after being told that he wasn't getting pocket money because of his comment, would you accept that apology?

Or would you think he just wanted pocket money?

And yes, it is very telling that his idea of a sexist comment is "All right luv..".

TheSecondComing · 02/10/2011 12:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TidyDancer · 02/10/2011 12:09

It's the fact that the apology has been stated, but not the original comments. It's just a very unbalanced way of asking for opinions.

stripeybump · 02/10/2011 12:10

I think Tories try to appear on the side of families, but fail miserably to understand how complex family finances are because they're all toffs

Taking away child benefit from middle earners has hit us really hard - DH on 42k and I want to SAH but with a mahoosive southeast mortgage we are going to be totally skint. They don't understand just how expensive childcare is for the average family. I thought Tories were all for a traditional family set-up but with their lack of support for young married couples with kids, I fail to see where they actually support families.

I mean - by women's issues I assume he means family issues - cos otherwise as a currently FT worker earning similar to my DH, our issues are pretty identical Confused

I find the idea of 'women's issues' as an add-on to the important business of warmongering and bigging up the banks incredibly condescending actually. And cynical - this isn't core Tory policy, just trying to grab votes by a few mini gestures to appease the wimmin Hmm

MmeLindor. · 02/10/2011 12:12

TidyDancer
The comments were all over the press. I did not read the article (cause I am not giving Murdoch even a measly £1) but I knew about them.

MmeLindor. · 02/10/2011 12:13

Guardian on Dorries comment

MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 02/10/2011 12:14

Hello all

We absolutely, categorically were not asked to post this by any outside organisation - not are we in any way taking payment for it. We just thought it was an interesting story, and one that MNHQ might be asked to comment on, so we thought we'd canvass your views so that if we are asked, we could reflect the board's opinion fairly.

Thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 02/10/2011 12:15

"cogito...do you have any idea how research works...and how MN works."

Actually, I do on both counts. If you're going to pay for research you go for something that'll give you a representative outcome. Asking largely left-wing MN-ers what they think of DC is like asking Man City fans what they think of Man Utd. I'd be more inclined to think a question like this would be paid for by the Labour HQ.... so they can use the resulting anti-DC quotes as ammo during the upcomping conference and counteract the poll that decided Milliband was mostly weird.

aliceliddell · 02/10/2011 12:15

YY stripey
There's more to sexism than opinions that women are in some way inferior. It's in the structures of society, like who does the low paid jobs and therefore take time out to do the caring, whether the child care is subsidised, etc etc.
All of which this bastard govt has provided with added sexist comments.
Did anyone think it was going to be different? Public sector cuts are bad for women. Who looks after the elders when the day centres close? the same women who just lost their jobs. Tories do women no favours.

purits · 02/10/2011 12:16

MmeLindor The press works in mysterious ways. Have you noticed how they are shitstirring with the English rugby team this morning? The ?alleged? incident happened about a fortnight ago but the press have only raised it now, when we have qualified for the QF because thay are trying to dereail us.

Did MN raise similar threads before the LibDem or Labour conferences? If MN wants to be a force in politics then they need to be more impartial than this

CogitoErgoSometimes · 02/10/2011 12:17

"warmongering and bigging up the banks"

You're mixing them up with Tony Blair, surely?

stripeybump · 02/10/2011 12:17

Grin RowanMN

What a cynical bunch. You are part of MN - comment if you want to be heard as part of MN, otherwise don't bother. I don't care whether MN are paid or not for this stuff - it gives us a voice so I'm happy to shout contribute.

Thumbwitch · 02/10/2011 12:20

I can see that the comment to Dorries was taken amiss because of the rest of the House's reaction to it - but SOMEONE (and if not Cameron, what the fuck was the Speaker not doing?) should have calmed it down and told them to behave.
But telling Angela Eagle to "calm down, dear" a la Michael Winner's appalling car insurance ads, was patronising in the extreme - especially "calm down dear and listen to what the doctor says". FFS!

stripeybump · 02/10/2011 12:20

Cogito - Libya.

I did hope that this govt wouldn't feel the need to spend billions showing how big its cock is to the rest of the world like Tony's did, but my hopes were dashed.

Thumbwitch · 02/10/2011 12:21

Am very Hmm at the idea that MN is primarily left wing. I don't see that - in fact, there are so many closet DM readers here, I'd be surprised if the leftwingers were even in the majority.

purits · 02/10/2011 12:22

Rowan How about the comment "no-one raised it so it can't be much of an issue".
What was your pre-prepared comment for the Labour conference?

stripeybump · 02/10/2011 12:24

Thumb - it's the lefties who are more articulate on here so tend to post on political threads. Right-wingers on here usually just spout reactionary DM bollocks that everyone ignores.

Are lefties in general more educated? Hmm

MmeLindor. · 02/10/2011 12:27

Oh, stop with the conspiracy theories.

MNHQ are often asked what we think about political matters, particularly ones that affect women.

So they asked a question.

Answer if you want to.

Or put your tin foil hat on and sit in the bunker if you think it is a right wing/left wing conspiracy plot.

Thumbwitch · 02/10/2011 12:31

I don't know, stripey - I pretty much hate them all impartially these days, despite having been raised in a very strongly Liberal family (with a Communist grandfather - I remember those days of political strife yelling discourse/discussion between my Mum and her Dad with much fondness... Grin

Thumbwitch · 02/10/2011 12:32

oops, forgot to close my brackets Blush and finish the sentence:
) - now I can't be arsed with any of them as they are all a bunch of self-serving liars.