Misogyny against Liz Truss

[PersonaNonGarter]

Is anyone else seeing endless misogyny against Liz Truss painting her as ‘thick’ or ‘stupid’? While there’s an acceptance that Rishi is a clever nerd?

I am finding it quite disconcerting. Both she and Rishi Sunak have PPE degrees from Oxford. Yet so many memes about her being dumb. I haven’t seen any attacking Rishi’s intelligence.

Obviously, many many people disagree with them both politically. But that’s not what I am talking about. This is about a specific sort of criticism that really seems directed at her as a woman.

Her campaign says Vote Truss, his says Ready for Rishi

I don't buy that it is misogyny...she truly does come across as being thick. I think the same of many in the cabinet, eg Raab, and they all went to Oxbridge. I don't particularly think Sunak is intelligent but he's clearly not as dumb as she is.

That's just another little quip, isn't it? Why not just say what you mean?

I assume you're getting at the fact that she's thought to be modelling herself after Thatcher. If that's what she wants to do that's up to her, I couldn't care less what she wears. I don't see the significance of commenting on it TBH, it's doesn't add anything to the argument.
Attack the policy, not the person. I don't see how it proves that she's a bad politician when you criticise her clothes.

I'd like to think it is misogyny.

But OMG she is dreadful. 2 minutes looking at what she thinks is a policy or watching a video of her making a speech and suddenly Rishi looks like an intellectual giant.

She really is that bad.

The bow thing is because of her pathetic attempts to cosplay Thatcher

I'm a Conservative voter largely from anti SNP view but not a member so don't have a vote. If I had it would be Sunak.

From the selection of comments in The Times, there are many similar to me- inclined towards Tory , but could be persuaded away if they pick Truss.

The Tory members should heed the warning of Labour's disastrous result when members, rather than the parliamentary group, picked the leader.

I'm not sure how Conservatives can deserve the accusation of being anti-women given on female leaders it's 2- nil between them and Labour.

This.

Yes there is misogyny involved but it's really hard to miss the fact that half of what Liz Truss says is either wrong or just plain stupid.

This is true. This has never happened

Truss Thatcher cosplay
twitter.com/LouisHenwood/status/1548047108363628548?t=FbCcFxmgGlUEvWaABrsgLw&s=19

Rishi Sunak's £500(?) Gucci shoes worn on a building site were criticised, however, that criticism was levelled at the fact he could afford them.

For once I agree with jgw. Boris got just as much personal criticism.

This is about a specific sort of criticism that really seems directed at her as a woman

its got nothing to do with being a woman & everything to do with being as thick as mince.

I don't think Sunak is thick. I do think he's ignorant, out of touch, smarmy, up his own arse & a whole host of other negative things though.

stop trying to make it about something it's not to suit your agenda.

personally I'm pissed off it's come to a choice between these two. FFS.

Yes, I think female politicians of all parties are targets of sexist and misogynistic comments and portrayal, by individuals and the media.

Policy, voting history, manifesto content and professional conduct should be open for debate or criticism of course. But the content and tone of the discussion around our women in political life is often disgraceful.

From the sexist use of pictures of Penny Mordaunt in a swimsuit against all the other suited candidates, the racist cartoon depictions of Priti Patel and comments about her 'ethnic shoes' of all things, to comments about Angela Rayners hair and cleavage or mocking Jess Phillips for using a well styled and flattering photoshoot picture in her social media accounts. It's concerted action to trivialise, undermine and humiliate women, let them know their place.

And that's before we consider the likes of Rosie Duffield, Joanna Cherry et al, who are treated with much more hostility and venom than male politicians who are active in supporting Women's Rights issues. The men get very little pushback at all, whilst the women are threatened, receive violent threats and are isolated by their own colleagues. Utter misogyny.

This is about a specific sort of criticism that really seems directed at her as a woman

But the criticism isn't that. That silly Camilla Long article for example is complaining about the use of "bonkers" Fgs sake- that word is practically part of Boris'and Corbyn's names it's used so often for them.

I think this post raises interesting questions about how any of us with strongly held views can be tempted into being tribal about everything and apply criticism without properly thinking things through.

I am a feminist. Misogyny is ubiquitous, insidious and awful, and yes, female politicians still get judged by their outfits more than I'd like.

Because I'd like them to be judged by the quality of their ideas, and by their behaviour.

On both counts, Truss deserves criticism.

We do feminism no favours by blaming everything on misogyny.

personally I'm pissed off it's come to a choice between these two. FFS

Personally I'm happy with Sunak but depressed at the thought Truss might win.

I don’t think it’s misogyny. It’s because people have listened to her giving speeches or answering questions.

Some of her highlights

twitter.com/BillyVacant/status/1550518459528024064?t=Bwfp_nvxjV6oL0DRYHB3Bg&s=19

There's many more incidences such as humiliating us with her incompetence when she went to Russia to discuss Ukraine. And not knowing geography or geopolitics even though she's the actual foreign secretary.

She absolutely is thick and will be an absolute liability as PM, so do behave with your accusations of misogyny.

There is a lot of misogyny against women politicians.
But it is true that Liz Truss is not very bright and that she is trying to channel Margaret Thatcher, including with what she wears.
Feminism does not mean applauding everything a woman does.

Yes I do see it

Not just the thick comments but her outfits, age and other

I remember Clinton getting a tough time for her smile of all things, presumably men can look as grump as Trump but women can’t

We shouldn’t join in. It also reminds me of a male MD who used to rate female clients after each meeting. They were lining his pockets as he led over profound sexism

If we do it it’s likely we’re at the end of it in professional life

What you say about process is interesting wrt Labour

Although it’s not a new process for Cons is it?

No
i am saying that making comments about her academic prowess and ability is not necessarily misogyny

I feel very conflicted . Undoubtedly a lot of the negative coverage is due to her sex, but I also think she isn't very good.
For all her awkwardness Theresa May had held down one of the toughest posts in government for years.
Liz Truss is gaffe prone, her speeches, and delivery, are awful. She's also rumoured to be on the MeToo Excel spreadsheet!

I think Rishi is bright but tainted by family money, taking advantage f tax rules and propping up Johnson.

What a choice!

@Petrolordiesel could she handle her briefs?
What do her civil servants think?

She absolutely is thick and will be an absolute liability as PM, so do behave with your accusations of misogyny.

No, she might be wrong but she isn’t thick.

And to anyone saying she is thick, do you actually know how clever you have to be to do PPE at Oxford? It’s insanely competitive.

My point is everyone seems to accept that Rishi is bright (but might be wrong) but so many people think Liz Truss is actually stupid. That’s misogyny. They have the same academics.