Lord Hunt in HoL today [Edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

[TheWordWomanIsTaken]

Standing up for women's rights and language.

Wonderful speech - and to get "hear hear" at the end! I wonder if he will get abuse like Rosie Duffield did?

Thanks for posting op. Terrific speech. Sense, understanding and compassion - I'd forgotten what they sound like!

Anyone else find themselves leading the virtual cheers?

How heartening to hear this. How depressing that it is needed.

Good man! because even in the House of Lords, I bet some of those cowards and misogynists can make life difficult for him. But why have women got better representation in the House of Lords than among our MPs?

Bloody brilliant! Has anyone got video of what Baroness Noakes said?

Thank you for this thread, OP - I had no idea this was happening today, but have just read the Hansard transcript of the debate.

Lots of great speeches from lots of people:

hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2021-02-22/debates/EF8A7974-0A9C-4F17-B9DC-B7D26E52D52F/MinisterialAndOtherMaternityAllowancesBill

Beyond Lord Hunt's contribution, there were some absolutely cracking speeches in this debate:
Baroness Noakes (Conservative)
Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench)
Baroness Morris (Labour)
Lord Pannick (Crossbench)
Lord Lucas (Conservative)
Lord Triesman (Labour)
Baroness Nicholson (Conservative)
Baroness Morris and Lord Triesman have restored my faith in the Labour Party somewhat, and Lord Pannick very elegantly skewered Baroness Jones' suggestion the existence of pregnant transmen made using the term women in the bill inappropriate. Those of you who've developed a twitch at the weaponisation of intersex people but are planning on watching the rest of the debate could probably do with skipping Baroness Brinton's speech though.

Can I add Lord Winston to your list GAHgamel?

"I have to say that every single one of us in this Chamber, every single person outside in the street and every citizen of the United Kingdom was born from a mother’s uterus. We forgive the muddled biology that we heard a little earlier in this debate. The fact is that only a woman can give rise to a baby"

@donquixotedelamancha

That a great speech. Rare to see a Labour man willing to speak out.

Is Philip Hunt related to Jeremy Hunt?

No, their names are pronounced differently. Philip's is pronounced as it reads whereas Jeremy's is more of a kh sound at the start.

🤣

@Thingybob

Can I add Lord Winston to your list GAHgamel?

"I have to say that every single one of us in this Chamber, every single person outside in the street and every citizen of the United Kingdom was born from a mother’s uterus. We forgive the muddled biology that we heard a little earlier in this debate. The fact is that only a woman can give rise to a baby"

Oops, yes, I had meant to include him, but the parliament.tv link for his speech comes in half way through, so I set it aside to find the right timings for it. I think this has it right now: Lord Winston(Labour)

He's definitely going to be feeling the love.

I hope the government are ashamed to hear that so many women are moved to tears just to hear a politician treat them with respect.

mobile.twitter.com/LordPhilofBrum/status/1363979187892158466

Thanks for the links GAH. Wonderful to hear it spelled out so clearly and by so many people.

I'm not usually a fan of the HoL, but right now seeing the advantages of having a independent, experienced, un-sackable second house.

I'm not usually a fan of the HoL, but right now seeing the advantages of having a independent, experienced, un-sackable second house.

Yes. I'm having to have a rethink on the value of the HoL too.

Yep, I hate the way successive Governments have often tried to pack the HoL with their own cronies, but really feel there should be a place in the second chamber for appointees with specific expertise of certain areas, so I love the concept of Crossbencher. I can see the need for Lords reform, but I wish there was some way of keeping that bit.

I’ve always said that nothing will change until men start talking about it, stand up and refusing to pander.

I cried watching it even though I’m not British nor live in the UK. It just feels like hope. I know @glinner is fighting hard for us but this is a much bigger platform.

[quote Datun]He's definitely going to be feeling the love.

I hope the government are ashamed to hear that so many women are moved to tears just to hear a politician treat them with respect.

mobile.twitter.com/LordPhilofBrum/status/1363979187892158466[/quote]

I saw mimmymum eating lemons in the replies

Great speech . To see a Labour politician speak up for us , it makes me feel like crying. I left after almost 30 years . It was beginning to feel abusive almost to continue paying subs to them. I felt like I was betraying my daughter , know what I mean ? Glad he stuck up for Rosie Duffield too . Keir Starmer is spineless.

I hear the bill has gone back to the Lords committee for a redraft, is that right?

I don't think it needs to pass by Fri in order for the AG to get her mat leave necessarily but I did think if her watching this and whether she would give her approval or be worried about the time ticking on.

The Lords also spoke about doing this properly and not rushing it through (adding paternity leave etc). It goes to show how the HoL adds balance and common sense.

It was amazing, I'm buying a job lot of thank you cards today!

OhHolyJesus Me too! And emailing my fence sitting splintered Arse Tory mp with a question as to whether he’s heard the speeches. When I emailed him about this last week he whinnied gently about gender neutral language. Considering he’s been very high in the party I was somewhat surprised by his inability to think. Mind you it may explain why he’s just a seat warmer for the party now. Not the likely reason but it will console me.

Please use WriteToThem.com to write to him, to Estelle Morris and to Tanni Grey-Thompson to thank them.

That speech definitely touched all the right buttons. I hope it has some real impact but looking at the ministers face, I fear not.

Lord Hunt - thank you

@OhHolyJesus

I hear the bill has gone back to the Lords committee for a redraft, is that right?

I don't think it needs to pass by Fri in order for the AG to get her mat leave necessarily but I did think if her watching this and whether she would give her approval or be worried about the time ticking on.

The Lords also spoke about doing this properly and not rushing it through (adding paternity leave etc). It goes to show how the HoL adds balance and common sense.

It was amazing, I'm buying a job lot of thank you cards today!

Ooh that would be good news - I heard that the amendment (to add woman) was withdrawn.

Does anyone know how we can find out?

If Lord Hunt is not related to Jeremy Hunt is he related to Baronness Ruth Hunt.

What di happen to her. Is she silently snuggled up in her ermine?

Great great speech

Bizarre that it even has to be made though