Labour Leadership Candidates on Newsnight

[MarSeeAh]

Not one of them gives a toss about women’s rights!

Not one of them is prepared to say that biological reality is, well, reality.

For fuck’s sake!

[OvaHere]

Idiots the lot of them. In the meantime the Tories continue to have their 80 seat majority.

Labour aren't even trying at this point.

[chilling19]

Womanaf it has been so long since we have had one, I have forgotten what a good opposition looks like.

[JustTurtlesAllTheWayDown]

I have no intention of leaving the Labour party to the likes of RLB, which I assume is the purpose of that ridiculous pledge they’ve scavenged together.
We need a credible opposition in this country, more than ever.

Yes, this. I joined recently because of this issue. We need to get the Labour Party back on track and that means we need the grown ups to stay, instead of walking out and letting the kids trash the place. If there were a credible left alternative, I'd agree but there's not.

[BovaryX]

each such instance of talking about biology would be assessed on a case by case basis for transphobia

This would be laughable. If it wasn't so sinister.

[Yesyesitsme]

*If Jennifer James wins her all womens shortlist case then any labour leader who has signed the aforementioned pledge would have to scrap AWS, right? If TWAW then you couldn't have something that excludes them."

Presumably TW would be in favour of AWS, as they also are women (so would be eligible for an AWS) and they also are oppressed by misogyny and the patriarchy.

[Floisme]

I'm not a member any longer and very nearly didn't vote for them in December but, for what it's worth, my take on this shit show is that they will all throw women under the bus but that Starmer at least demonstrates a bit of savviness - and that's a quality a leader needs.

[bellinisurge]

I'm going to watch it on catchup. Sadly, I've given up with tbe female candidates. Nandy on R4 this morning was dreadful on this.
My last hope is Starmer. Was he at least hedging his bets?

[bedelia]

At 9.30, Victoria Derbyshire will be talking to the candidates on BBC2, will we see more of this nonsense?

[IfNot]

Why are Labour women always such fucking awful politicians?? Even when they think they are being canny they just come across as bumbling divs. Was Barbara Castle the last decent one?
I'm no fan of the Tories but at least they seem to produce formidable female MPS, even if they are loathsome they are not laughable like this bunch of wibbling airheads.

[IfNot]

Agree Tanith I'm not leaving either, I'm going to remain and be a pain in my CLP's arse.

[MaMaLa321]

Why are Labour women always such fucking awful politicians??
All Women's Shortlists. Though I'm aware that this is an unpopular opinion on MN

[IfNot]

No. That might explain why there are more of them, but not why they are so shit.
In one job I had they only interviewed women for a senior role, but the woman who got the job was fantastic. There are millions of brilliant women capable of being great MPs, they just don't ever seem to want be Labour Party MPs.
I wonder if the misogyny in the Party (I am a member) is so bad that only self hating idiots rise to the top.

[Tanith]

My last hope is Starmer. Was he at least hedging his bets?

I think he has to, at this stage. So far as I can see, he's treading a very fine and difficult line and, so far, he's doing it well. He's showing his greater experience over the other candidates imo.

[BovaryX]

^Why are Labour women always such fucking awful politicians??
All Women's Shortlists. Though I'm aware that this is an unpopular opinion on MN^

I agree. There are some truly dire Labour women whose rapid ascent is matched by their profound mediocrity. The party is imploding under the weight of its own contradictions....

[Floisme]

Sorry can't link but Starmer has now tweeted that he supports the pledge.

[MaMaLa321]

No!
I'm loving this , and finding it very exciting. Because I stopped being a Labour party member several years ago.
But it must feel truly terrible if you're Labour

[Floisme]

This is it I think. If not it's on his Twitter page.

Keir itter.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1227878854183792642

[Floisme]

Sorry that link doesn't work. Sure someone will be along with a screenshot soon.

[Yesyesitsme]

Keir Starmer seems to be supporting a slightly different list of pledges: mobile.twitter.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1227878854183792642

[womanaf]

Yes, that’s different pledges, nothing about WPUK there.

[FleecyMoo]

Something has been niggling at the back of my mind and I've just realised what it is - the Sixth Form common room! I feel as though I've been transported back there. The Labour party has regressed to the point that it has the sophisticated reasoning of your average 16 -18 year old who thinks they know everything despite having no life experience.

The way in which labour politicians stick together for safety and will follow the most gutless, incoherent, nonsensical ideas just because 'everyone else is doing it' saddens me beyond belief.

Please can a grown up come along and sort things out so that intelligent people, women and Jewish people (and some of us are all three!) have someone to vote for?

[MaMaLa321]

but it still includes supporting self-id

[Floisme]

Ha ha I didn't spot that!
He may be untrustworthy but at least he appears to be smart and untrustworthy.

[Yesyesitsme]

Why are Labour women always such fucking awful politicians?? Even when they think they are being canny they just come across as bumbling divs. Was Barbara Castle the last decent one?

I'm no fan of the current bunch, but there have plenty of good women politicians since Barbara Castle, whether or not you share their views. Yvette Cooper, Harriet Harman, Mo Mowlam, Tessa Jowell, Clare Short....

[RoyalCorgi]

Why are Labour women always such fucking awful politicians??

Labour is an equal opportunities party. It has loads of really shit male politicians too. See Lloyd whatsisface on Politics Live yesterday for one example. There are many others.