Anyone else think political wives should be not seen and not heard?

[darcymum]

Its always wives, never husbands, who are paraded on stage at conferences, in their pretty dresses and I'm sure we will be hearing a lot more from them in the weeks to come. You could never imagine Mr Thatcher (what was his first name?) doing that.

If they have something to say then they should get elected themselves.

Oh, I don't know. You make a good point but I do like Michelle Obama

Well what really annoys me is all the hand-holding in public. I mean, come on, does anyone really think that Gordon Brown is touchy-feely and handy-holdy in private? It's such blatant electioneering and lifted directly from America.
Pisses me off.

I don't think they should be that important. But don't you think it does look odd that Miriam (Clegg) appears to be sending a message - I won't bother stopping working, I'm doing the serious work while Nick is playing with politics, he hasn't got a hope in winning so I had better earn the family some money? No job wouldn't let you have time off if your DH was running for prime minister - thats the excuse I have heard for her. I don't think Vince Cable is wife material!

Gramy 23: Glenys and Hilary were political activitists from childhood. Are they expected to desist because their spouses get famous?!

The more I think about this thread the more outraged I get. Spouses can be as ugly, leary outspoken as they want. What ever sex. Lets talk policies please!

I think that they should stay firmly in the background and not be heard. It doesn't matter what they look like or what they wear.

Not sure whether I want to see or hear from them. Certainly think Miriam Gonzalez Durantez (Nick Clegg's wife) has got it right on this one, continuing with her professional career while her husband is campaigning. The personal is political, no point in talking about feminism then behaving like a 50s housewife or a teenage girl on take your daughter to work day.

It's part of a wider problem in politics: image is more important than policies, what their wives wear is newsworthy, apparently

I don't mind them being present ( as I am at dh's big dos, as he is at mine) and I admire those who are strong role models in their own right ( elenor Roosevelt, michelle Obama)

I hate the forced kisses, the hand holding, the gazing up at their "rock" and then the ritualised humiliation As they stand next to their philandering/corrupt/unethical war starting dh because some pr guru forces them to.

Plus, I hate the objectification by the media-carla Bruni latest outfit, cheri's latest faux pas, the current 3's uniformity etc. The articles bearing on party policies, it's just another lame attempt to engage a disinterested nation in part politics. If the politicians had any gravitas their dp would not be needed to fill in the gaps.

And I agree, if dp was a dh, the the coverage would be v different, along he lines of " he must be a lap dog to allow his dw the limelight/emasculated with dw earning more then him" etc

Sorry, should have read "have no interest in party policies"

I just saw Miriam Clegg on the ITV news. I haven't really seen her on TV before. I must say she looked kinda nice, attractive etc. And I hate to admit this (as obviously I am a very serious-minded and rational person etc ) but it did make me wonder if boring-looking Cleggy was more interesting than I had previously thought

its only brief but she sounds interesting! and anyone that invites the mail's scorn (she FINALLY left her job to join the campaign) gets my vote!

Oh please, please look at the front of the Tories' website today.

BIG headline saying SAMANTHA VISITS YORKSHIRE, with BIG picture of Sam in all her dewy-eyed floppy-haired glory.

And they actually have something called WebSamCameron. Blergh.

They should not be seen, heard or considered relevant in anyway.

Bringing fashion into politics - cardi with belt around - no thanks. Boyfriend jacket yes please. Too busy with a job - fair enough.

I can't help thinking that the wives do provide us with some added insight into who it is we are voting for.

In the case of Nick Clegg, I admire Miriam for not wanting to steal the limelight and distract us from his - or should I say the Lib Dem's - campaign.

In fact the more you learn about her, the more Nick Clegg rises in my estimation: any man who is confident enough to have a strong, successful and clever wife (not to mention one who earns vastly more than he does) is a worthy contender for No. 10 in my book.

Totally agree Velevtrabbit

Also, the issues should be about party politics anyway not individuals - in this country (unlike the US) we don't vote for specific leader but a party to lead us. Granted the leader is important, but this isn't America!

STOP PRESS!!! I heard on the radio yesterday that the leaders wives each received more column inches than any female candidate.

WTF!