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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:
Becaroooo · 02/10/2011 19:18

I am a labour voter, but Iain Duncan Smith was the best leader the Tories have ever had IMO. I respect him and think he talks a lot of sense.

The conservative's have done exactly what "new labour" did in the late 1990's and have picked a young (ish), shallow PR puppet as their PM. Have zilch respect for him or any of his bullingdon club millionaire cronies.

If he or Osborne tell me "we are all in this together" once more......Angry

garlicslutty · 02/10/2011 19:26

a lot of stereotypes ... where do they come from? What are they based on?

Unlike GalaxyAddict, I've not met the man. I've seen nothing to persuade me he's much different from the average privileged chap in our country - well-educated, well-meaning and with howling gaps in his understanding of life as it really is for the majority of UK citizens. People like that generally have only the slightest comprehension that these gaps exist: not a problem as a rule, but a serious failing in a prime minister.

I haven't used any epithets like the ones you so dislike, but DC seems to fit the stereotype fairly well. I regret this: I want to live in a balanced society, and don't care whether the person who leads it wears a cloth cap or a lime-green evening gown. DC could have done far, far better unless he's actually a bit thick. But he hasn't.

It does seem a little peculiar to sit on a discussion thread, complaining about potential harassment for views you haven't yet expressed. Ever thought of posting your opinion? Wink

NonnoMum · 02/10/2011 19:27

When the whole "Calm down dear" was kicking off, and was the talk of my male and female colleagues, we all remarked on how the (hopefully less-sexist) Nick Clegg visibly winced in his seat beside him.

And then we questioned... Would DC have said this to his wife? Undoubtedly No.

It was offensive and sexist

He has apologised. The cynic in me is wondering why this is coming so soon after the "How to appeal to women-voters" of last week... Are the coalition realising that the worst off after their cuts is women trying to raise families. That is, women without family money to inherit.

DId some sums today, and realised that after I have paid all my childcare costs in order to stay in my albeit parttime but professional role, I take home about £80 a week. And he wants to take away the child benefit.
Thanks.

garlicslutty · 02/10/2011 19:30

I agree about IDS, Bec. Intelligent man.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 02/10/2011 19:34

'Stereotypes'... take your pick. Satirical comedy like Mock the Week, newspapers, straight old-fashioned class prejudice. 'Toffs', 'Chavs', 'Boffins', 'WAGS'... everything gets dumbed down to a nice easy shorthand and, unfortunately, some are too lazy to look past the stereotype

Alouiseg · 02/10/2011 19:34

Cameron apologised. Total non story. I don't recall a thread started by MNHQ stating that Brown never apologised for anything.

garlicslutty · 02/10/2011 19:36

Just for you, Alouise :)

Becaroooo · 02/10/2011 19:40

"I've seen nothing to persuade me he's much different from the average privileged chap in our country - well-educated, well-meaning and with howling gaps in his understanding of life as it really is for the majority of UK citizens. People like that generally have only the slightest comprehension that these gaps exist: not a problem as a rule, but a serious failing in a prime minister".

Absolutely GS

lollystix · 02/10/2011 19:42

Nonno- I'm the same as you. Professional job with good salary on paper but after childcare I'm working 28 hours a week for a couple of hundred a month. I can't up my hours too much or I will lose my cb and be working more hours for less. I work for my sanity, my pension and to ensure I don't lose my foot on the ladder but it's a very stressful life for the actual return after the childcare. And I know I am lucky to have the choice to return to work - alot of women can't afford to even if they wanted to.

Alouiseg · 02/10/2011 19:43

Thanks Garlic :o smartarse :o. However it wasn't started by HQ, I'd be amazed if it made Discussion of the day and it certain,y wasn't a sticky.

An agenda methinks.

garlicslutty · 02/10/2011 19:47

Grin Grin I'm not sure, but didn't Brown actually apologise for that on a MN webchat? Beats a sticky thread!

Pan · 02/10/2011 19:51

I thought Brownie demonstrated a good deal of resilience and measure when he only referred to the voter as a 'bigotted woman' in what he thought was a private space.

Davie showed nothing of those qualities, when in the HoCs.

inkyfingers · 02/10/2011 20:01

Buttering everyone up before the conference. those comments were made ages ago; funny he's just now thought to apologise. Well, busy man...Wink

smallwhitecat · 02/10/2011 20:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

NanaNina · 02/10/2011 20:06

I am delighted that so many MNs are against Cameron and his ilk who are intent on demolishing the welfare state by their plan to privatise all public services. Cameron is a liar - all the time he has been denying that the NHS was to be privatised, talks were going on at the end of last year to sell part of the NHS to international companies.

This "we are all in this together" is the biggest load of crap ever - they must think we are halfwits. Osborne is a millionaire and Cameron and the rest of the cabinet are loaded. I just don't know how they have the temerity to talk about us all being in this together.

Sorry I'm going off the feminist issue - I could rant about the tories for ever and a day!

Flubule · 02/10/2011 20:26

No, no, CogitoErgoSometimes
I know what the stereotypes are, I want to know where they were born, if you like.
Why do we stereotype the Tories as heartless millionaire Bully boys who understand nothing about the lives of the masses?
I see a lot of complaining about it and no refuting it!

ReadRideABikeSwim · 02/10/2011 20:28

Bullingdon ...child benefit

Child benefit...Bullingdon

Nuff said

buzzskillington · 02/10/2011 20:29

Probably because the current poster boys for the Tories are from rich, privileged backgrounds and so it's pretty hard to refute, flubule Grin.

MrsHeffley · 02/10/2011 20:37

So far David Cameron has taken more than £300 a month off my kids through CB etc,clobbered them with future massive uni bills,taken away many fantastic facilities for local kids,reduced the hours my kids can go to the library, will be penalising their mother for choosing not to marry after 22 years of non married bliss(not all women want to get married) etc,etc.

When DC starts thinking a bit more about children,mothers and the massively squeezed middle instead of just his core voters I might actually start taking his alleged concern for women more seriously.It's quite clear DC couldn't care less about the vast majority of kids or women.He and his gov just look after their own.I've been truly shocked by how much this is true,and it just keeps on coming.

Basically actions speak louder than words.

Pan · 02/10/2011 20:45

On the other hand........................................no, there isn't one.

But it is true that we get the politicians we ask for.......tho' on this ocassion we didn't actually ask for him.
Is it a bit surprising to not have expected the ravaging of basic services? Tories had bee nwaiting years to do this sort of thing. (Bye-bye the NHS), and the very worst thing Labour did was to make it all so easy for them.

DamselWithADulcimer · 02/10/2011 20:56

I'm just wondering now why MNHQ has asked for our opinion on this? Are they going to ask us what we think every time a politician speaks? Or are they perchance trying to peddle some kind of anti-Cameron line? Surely not...

MNHQ: I would like to know why you have flagged this up specifically. Why is it more interesting than anything else said recently by politicians of whatever hue?

Alouiseg · 02/10/2011 20:59

Agree with Damsel.

Flubule · 02/10/2011 21:03

MN is a private undertaking. They are technically allowed to be as partisan as they like, if they like. I doubt they do much without knowing how it plays to the media Grin

stripeybump · 02/10/2011 21:10

Damsel - it's the prime minister of our country making a perceived sexist remark in Parliament to a female colleague. The media are all over it - MNHQ have already said they might be asked for a comment. They do this whatever hue the politician afaik, no agenda, no tinfoil hat needed.

The Tories are making a decent enough job of getting us to slag them off without MNHQ's help, to be fair to them.

FannyFifer · 02/10/2011 21:11

What's the story with the bin collection money, how many millions has he found to put it back to weekly?

What a waste of money.

We have 4 different bins
Blue - landfill waste, 2 weekly
Grey- paper, 2 weekly
Green- plastics & cans, 2 weekly
Brown- garden & food waste, monthly

Is that not the same as in England?