Where are all the women in the cabinet?

[fruitstick]

I'll try again with a completed thread title this time!

Given that this was supposed to be the Mumsnet election, is there any hope that there might be one, just one woman in the cabinet?

Although Samantha Cameron looked lovely in her maternity wear and heels, I was hoping for slightly more representation than that.

Despite Labour's faults, at least they had women in important and influential positions, not just window dressing.

Why is Sam Cam being slagged off for this? Sarah Brown has been doing it for 10 years and barely anyone bats an eyelid.

I don't know, perhaps because she's younger.... But you're right, it's completely ingrained in the culture so there's no reason for her to be attacked. I feel guilty for my above comment. It's not her fault, and she's not a politician. Her playing first lady is just a testament to the status quo, that's all, and how far women have to left go...

To be honest, I think Sarah Brown's situation was a lot worse. IIRC she gave up work pretty much the day she was married, which gave the impression that it wasn't because she had children but because she thought her career would negatively affect her husband's. Admittedly it probably would have done. Being in PR is a lot more contraversial than designing handbags and stationary, but still.

I read somewhere that Thatcher's husband (Dennis?) used to mix the drinks and stuff and offer them round at political gatherings, bless him. He's the only man I've heard of who's ever played the spouse.

Yes, he did play the politician's wife well. Adds weight to the arguement that for a woman to make it, she needs a wife.

FYI - we've just added a page to our Politics section with a full listing of all new government ministers, so you can see who's responsible for what www.mumsnet.com/politics/uk-cabinet-2010-full-list

Thank you, will go and have a look