The phrase has been used at various times and I think was popularized by Nixon when he used it to describe what he believed were conservative voters who though not making a noise politically would show up at the polls.
MNHQ may or may not have understood that the feminist boards were extremely popular with Mumsnet users. I think I read somewhere that they were clearly aware that FWR was driving a huge amount of traffic. By just simply asking why people come and why they remain at MN it seems pretty clear that there is an enormous group of Lurkers or in political parlance The Silent Majority. I clearly do post here but I often feel my contributions are extremely modest next to some of the incredible thinkers and writers that express themselves so fantastically well in feminist chat especially. The sharp wit and humour around these parts also set a high standard.
So I am not surprised that many women in particular are reading and keeping up to date and very likely spreading the word politically among their family and friends, especially as we are raising the next generation. I think the amount of women who attend the regular meetings such as those held at Leeds and Manchester this weekend are a very, very tiny tip of the iceberg of the amount of women who would love to attend similar. I have not been able to attend any of the meetings but I am contributing financially through crowdfunding which is a first for me.
So my question is, do you believe the biggest group on MN is The Silent Majority who although lurking rather than posting are supporters of feminism and the aims of various groups many of whom such as ManFriday were gestated and birthed on these boards? How can the power of the Lurkers aka The Silent Majority be mobilised?