Exit poll suggests Jo Swinson loses her seat

[CharlieParley]

If this is true, how many votes may selling women out have cost her?

But why?. She is probably a perfectly nice person. Quite possibly nicer than Boris or Sturgeon. Yet her popularity ratings plummeted. I worry that there is some misogyny going on.

Apart from the gender nonsense, having a policy of revoking Article 50 was profoundly undemocratic. I say that as someone who would love to stay in the EU.

There was also no getting away from her awful voting record in the coalition government.

But, I think it would be wrong not to accept that there is absolutely horrible misogyny levelled at female politicians.

I would imagine Jo Swinson is crying because she has been up all night and is exhausted.

were Jo Swinson and Sarah Wollaston.

They were grilled far more on this than the men. They were given a hard time because they were women and they were judged far more harshly by the public. That’s why they lost their seats.

They didn't lose their seats because of the single sex issue. It would have been added colour to their brand of quirky, but they lost because of a naive and bad campaign. I don't think there has been a sudden upswell in feminist thought that has chased them away at the polls.

But yes, the reason the LD candidates were grilled so hard on this was because they decided to make it a part of their manifesto, and front it with two women who couldn't coherently explain why, and there is a lot of mileage in women debasing themselves for onlookers.

That doesn't make me happy, but I can certainly see it for what it is.

But why?. She is probably a perfectly nice person. Quite possibly nicer than Boris or Sturgeon. Yet her popularity ratings plummeted.

In Scotland at least they were anti Brexit pro-union so up against SNP (anti Brexit pro Indy) and Tories (anti Indy) so they were trying to fit in quite a small niche. Plus while lots of people don't care about gender critical stuff those interviews made her look unprepared. And her views on nuclear weapons was concerning.

But yes, the reason the LD candidates were grilled so hard on this was because they decided to make it a part of their manifesto, and front it with two women who couldn't coherently explain why, and there is a lot of mileage in women debasing themselves for onlookers.

At least 3 women were grilled on this - Sal Brinton was also interviewed. I don't remember seeing any male LD candidates or representatives being asked about it, or anyone from any other party, even though virtually all parties apart from the Tories and Brexit party had it in their manifestos.

But, I think it would be wrong not to accept that there is absolutely horrible misogyny levelled at female politicians.

Yes, there is. It's disappointing to see how many have stepped down for that very reason. And it still doesn't excuse directing rank misogynistic policies at other women.

Disappointingly, there was no appetite on the part of the electorate to call a halt to Brexit. And whilst that's the end result I'd have preferred to see, there are all manner of problems with disregarding the result of a democratic vote.

even though virtually all parties apart from the Tories and Brexit party had it in their manifestos

I think it was a lot more front and centre in the LibDems manifesto though?

I think it was a lot more front and centre in the LibDems manifesto though?

It was in the Labour manifesto as well, and prominent enough for a lot of discussion about what they actually meant. Labour could have been grilled about that a lot more.

Labour got away with it because of the pacifying 'single sex' clause they had in there, which introduced enough mudfuing t make it less of a stark point.

The LDs not only had GRA reform in there, they were pressing for the odious removal of spousal consent, which made it a very much more obvious attack on women, tbh. And yes, you're right, I'd forgotten about Sal Brinton. As I said, I don't the issue was brought up because the media suddenly think feminist issues are important. But it will be compelling viewing to watch women trying to defend the dismantling of women's rights, and that's a big factor here. So yes, definitely misogyny on a systemic level, for sure. But I can't bring myself to be sad about women who eagerly betray their own sex facing a difficult time.

Yes, and also, Jo Swinson went - I think - further than Labour on Self ID - by saying they would allow people to ID as non-binary, and use X on their passports.

When she was interviewed on this on LBC - it was a car crash. It looked like she hadn't thought it through at all - and seeing a Leader unable to properly answer logical questions on something in their own manifesto is disastrous - people may not have cared about self ID that much as an issue - but they did hear candidates stuttering and squirming under questioning. Not a good look.

As I said, I don't the issue was brought up because the media suddenly think feminist issues are important.

I disagree. I know plenty of journalists who are very aware of and concerned about the issues for women Self-ID would bring. Janice Turner, Julie Bindel etc are all from ‘the media’.

I don't think the majority of women even knew or were interested in the LDS trans stance

It came up in all Swinson's car crash interviews last week. All of them. She made her stance very public.

It didn't bring voters flocking, did it? There wasn't a massed rush to the LibDems screaming 'save us from these adult human females who want equal human rights'. This election hasn't been a roaring success based on the policies Swinson jammed front and centre.

On the other hand, Swinson did successfully piss off a hell of a lot of adult human females with a vote. How's that working out for you Jo?

Is someone going to send a Christmas card to the numpty who said they didn't want disappointing women to vote for them and see if they've changed their minds at all?

Exactly. It was the Conservatives who started the whole self ID thing.

No it wasn't.

Is someone going to send a Christmas card to the numpty who said they didn't want disappointing women to vote for them and see if they've changed their minds at all?

It's hard not to feel a hint of schadenfreude.

It's hard not to feel a hint of schadenfreude.

Zebra you are a much nicer person than me I haven't been trying at all.

koshkat Who started the push for self ID, if it wasn't Maria Miller?

Michelle

disagree. I know plenty of journalists who are very aware of and concerned about the issues for women Self-ID would bring. Janice Turner, Julie Bindel etc are all from ‘the media’.

Yes, they are, brilliant women all (and a few men too) but they have all had to work incredibly hard for these things to gain traction.

How can JS say she was the first woman to lead the Lib Dems when she doesn't know what a woman is?

Hypocrisy at its finest.

Maria Miller in her capacity as chair of the womenS and equality committee (which is a scrutiny committee) not as part of the government

Saltovinegar remember that Jo Swinson knows that she is a woman. She could identify herself as one but not say why.

Yes you are correct DecemberDays, makes her look even more ridiculous.

DH has just come in and said: 'you've heard about Jo Swinson? She's turned up at Parliament saying she identifies as an MP and is demanding to be let into the safe space'.
(He heard it on a podcast and thought I - and MN - might enjoy it)