Would you vote for an inde. Councillor if she represented women?

[PosieParker]

With decent well thought out policies, but would also be a female voice in what seems to be a male dominated world.

I don't think it would be possible for one candidate to "represent women". I vote for people based on their policies, not their gender

Inde as in independent? with well thought out policies? Yes.

I would certainly want to, and make every effort to give her the benefit of the doubt, but it would depend on her policies.
Unfortunately I don't know many other women who would.

But it would someone who would speak on many issues that impact women.

No, I would rather vote for a Councillor that would represent everybody.

I think I would have to hide the part about being FOR women, this would be clear in my policies.

But most parties have policies that benefit men more than women.

I'd want to know why she wasn't in an organsation of like-minded people. There may be good reasons, or she may be an egotistical maniac

There is a female Indie candidate running against Boris and Ken in the London mayor elections and i'm tempted to vote for her because she's not a professional politician which I think is really important and she has kids and doesn't ignore that fact like the men often do. Stupid reporter interviewed her and asked when was the last time she cried wonder if Boris had ever been asked that question?

Julia... Seems like you have met me! . I just can't align myself with current local parties.

Yes. I would love the chance to vote for someone who genuinely represented women.

No. I want a person to represent people.

Isn't that dishonest to 'hide' that? How would you feel if the boot (or kitten heel) was on the other foot? Obviously untrustworthy - oops, politician, there's the clue.

It makes no odds to me whether a candidate is male or female. I like to be judged on my own merits, not on my sex, and extend the same courtesy to other people

I wouldn't object to a candidate who'd say she had an idea of what women's issues are, and thinks they're important. But at the same time, I wouldn't vote for a one-issue candidate; she'd have to convince me that along with her recognition of items that especially affect women, she's willing to work on all the other stuff too. But someone with a feminist outlook running for office, that would really be fine thing.

If you don't start out trying to represent 'minorities' eg women, you end up only representing the majority
Examples - votes; parental leave

I have done reasonably well in a fairly male dominated environment without extra 'help' and TBH I would find it offensive for someone to 'represent' me by dint of a lie, or wilful witholding of information. Or by discrimination.

Lisaro. I am not really sure where you are coming from.

If my policies were to ensure that the cuts affecting women were on my agenda and ensuring say state funded child care, reinstating surestart for eg, then whilst my motivation was women I don't think I would have to advertise that I am supporting women!

In case you forgot we live in a patriarchy, go and check out your councillors and their interests.

I'd happily vote for a candidate who said that women's issues/equality/feminism were important to her and were significant, or even central, in forming her views on a wide range of policy matters.

But any elected representative is elected to represent everyone in their ward/constituency, whether they voted for them or not and whether they have anything in common or not. Any candidate who doesn't grasp that and feels that they are only there to represent a portion of those people shouldn't really be standing.

So it depends what you mean by "if she represented women".

That makes sense, advertise your policies rather than saying "I want to represent women". A lot of those cuts affect men too and you don't want to alienate some of your potential voters by making your headline "what I am about" be all about women.

I think I would have to hide the part about being FOR women, this would be clear in my policies.
Why the need to hide?

Because if you have an agenda, even if it is to restore a minuscule bit of gender balance, people get uppity. Representing women is not about an unfair bias, it's about redressing the bias that already exists.

Because, unfortunately, Lisaro, we have an anti-woman society. :(

I'd vote for you, btw PP.

I actually vote for a female candidate every year. Always have done. Helps that she's aligned to a party I agree with, though.

Can't agree with lying by hiding things. Two wrongs do not make a right.