Page 3 | Anneliese Dodds: what has happened to her?

Calling · 2024-07-06T10:48:36+00:00

Annelise Dodds was re-elected as MP in a safe seat and I had thought that she would be Minister for Women or similar. I can't find any reference to her as chair of the Labour Party or as Minister and I checked the Labour Party website etc. I spotted her in a red dress* at the place outside where MPs were waiting to be called to see Starmer, having been summoned, but it was confusing because she was not allowed to go forward for a while when others were (or simply was early and had to wait). She didn't seem very happy about that). *That's how I noticed her.

UtopiaPlanitia · 07/07/2024 17:37

RethinkingLife · 07/07/2024 11:14

It's also about this intellectualised snobbery which is very dismissive of anything which isn't presented in a certain intellectualised way. That is also why Cass is starting to cut through - it's everything we've said here and has been ignored because it could be dismissed because it wasn't intellectualised and in a format that was acceptable to this new political class. It's all about data collection and formalisation. Which I actually support but only to a point.

Matt Goodwin describes the rise of the "epistemic class" that shapes the prevailing culture, conversation, politics, arts, policy in a way that means all that they survey is familiar to them but unrecognisable to others outside that group. (This overlaps with Rob Henderson's observations about luxury beliefs for which the harms accrue to others, and not those that espouse them. And Mark Fisher's Vampire's Castle.)

For much of the last half century, the new elite, whose families often descend from the professional and managerial classes, benefitted far more than others…
Shaped by their privileged family backgrounds, their educational qualifications, and their much greater ‘cultural capital’…the new elite hoovered up most of the gains from Britain’s embrace of hyper-globalisation and a political economy which was rebuilt around them, which both demanded and rewarded their skills.
They’ve benefitted culturally, too. After flooding into the creative, cultural, knowledge and public sector institutions, becoming a new “epistemic class” which creates, filters and determines what is or what is not acceptable or desirable within the national conversation, the new elite watched the prevailing culture be completely reshaped around their far more socially liberal values, tastes, political priorities, and interests.
Increasingly, when they’ve looked out at the institutions and what they create -the television programmes, films, adverts, books, museums, galleries, columns, and the national conversation more broadly- they’ve seen their worldview staring back at them while millions of others struggle to recognise their worldview at all.

https://www.mattgoodwin.org/p/rise-of-the-new-elite

Christopher Lasch wrote about this in the 90s too - I recently read his book The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy and it discussed these issues in great detail. Even though it was a bit dated, and mostly concerned with American politics, it very much resonated with me as an analysis of the way we started to do politics here in recent decades.

RedToothBrush · 07/07/2024 17:40

Hmm.

Maybe Starmer has offered the position to someone (maybe more than one person) and they've all turned down the position.

Given that its effectively, now a poison chalice of a position after this election, maybe thats the issue.

Leniriefenstahl · 07/07/2024 17:47

Shortshriftandlethal · 07/07/2024 11:02

Where I live, and I imagine in a lot other places too, a substantial section of the politically motivated working class population became radicalised as a result of Covid and the lockdown. Actually, I think it had already started before even that. They certainly do not appreciate being referred to as racists and bigots, or now as cranks and conspiracists. They very much see themselves as being anti establishment.

Edited

That’s all well and good but their leaders very much are part of the elite sadly. Two very very rich men who don’t give a shite about them or this country. What working class person would logically vote to have less employment rights or an insurance based NHS or less maternity leave ?

Shortshriftandlethal · 07/07/2024 17:52

Leniriefenstahl · 07/07/2024 17:47

That’s all well and good but their leaders very much are part of the elite sadly. Two very very rich men who don’t give a shite about them or this country. What working class person would logically vote to have less employment rights or an insurance based NHS or less maternity leave ?

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Even suggesting that they have 'leaders' would be quite offensive to most, I suggest. It suggets that people can't form their own evaluation of matters without someone else to do it for them.

I suggest people who have a natural political inclination tend not to require others to think for them. That people who are feeling and thinking the same sorts of things at the same time is what creates a movement.

This is how I personally found other women who were shocked and angry about what was happening in the name of trans ideology. We didn't require the Daily Mail to get us together ( as is sometimes suggested). We found each other through force of attraction.I personally felt all alone; made a phone call, and all of a sudden found that lots of others were feeeling the same as me.

Floisme · 07/07/2024 17:54

Whenever I've seen Dodds perform in the House of Commons I've been decidedly unimpressed, so I'm not entirely surprised or sorry if she hasn't been given the hot seat. But I also feel for her a little - the way it's being dragged out in public like this must be humiliating for her.

I can't imagine what's causing the delay - well I can but it would be pure speculation.

Shortshriftandlethal · 07/07/2024 17:57

Leniriefenstahl · 07/07/2024 17:47

That’s all well and good but their leaders very much are part of the elite sadly. Two very very rich men who don’t give a shite about them or this country. What working class person would logically vote to have less employment rights or an insurance based NHS or less maternity leave ?

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Cultural factors are as important as economic factors. Lots of working class people believe in discipline, hard work, taking responsibility. They want to see law and order in action. They have little sympathy for shirkers and/or free-loaders. If you are living on a large housing estate in which kids on dirt bikes are running wild and terrifying their neighbours.......you tend to think not " Poor kids, they have nowhere to go". You think " Little bastards need bringing into line, and quick"

IdaGlossop · 07/07/2024 17:58

PeppercornMill · 06/07/2024 13:17

Surely Starmer will appoint a man to the position of Women and Equalities?

Perhaps give Eddie Izzard a peerage so that he can serve in cabinet?

What a good idea! Are you going to contact Sir Keir to suggest it? 😀

Shortshriftandlethal · 07/07/2024 18:00

I think the natural inclination, and the Stonewall advice, is to lose the word 'Woman' from the role - but they are anxious about doing that - and for good reason

motheronthedancefloor · 07/07/2024 18:06

Maybe starmer could ask the guy who got the period advisor job in Dundee to advise him?

AutumnCrow · 07/07/2024 18:08

I wonder if somebody wants to rename the role ‘Gender and Equalities’? And someone else is resisting?

It’d reflect the Select Committee’s name as well.

Leniriefenstahl · 07/07/2024 18:14

Shortshriftandlethal · 07/07/2024 17:57

Cultural factors are as important as economic factors. Lots of working class people believe in discipline, hard work, taking responsibility. They want to see law and order in action. They have little sympathy for shirkers and/or free-loaders. If you are living on a large housing estate in which kids on dirt bikes are running wild and terrifying their neighbours.......you tend to think not " Poor kids, they have nowhere to go". You think " Little bastards need bringing into line, and quick"

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That didn’t answer my question. How would voting to have less employment rights or reduced maternity/paternity leave or fewer holidays or unpaid sick leave help W/C people ?
What you’re essentially saying is that working class people want simplistic solutions to complex problems and that’s ok why shouldn’t they. Using the birch might be a popular punishment and one mooted by Reform UK because it appeals to the ‘hang ‘em high’ brigade but in reality it solves no problems.
And in a way you’re sentimentalising them. They hate shirkers maybe but like the rest of the population they’re happy to turn a blind eye. I know because I’m from a solid council estate W/C background as is DP.

ResisterOfTwaddleRex · 07/07/2024 18:21

AutumnCrow · 07/07/2024 18:08

I wonder if somebody wants to rename the role ‘Gender and Equalities’? And someone else is resisting?

It’d reflect the Select Committee’s name as well.

They should call it: Minister for Advancement of AGPs and Dismantling of Safeguarding, the way things have gone and will go.

Imnobody4 · 07/07/2024 18:32

Just seen this from the Fawcett Society - they're waiting too.

Labour committed to bringing in a Secretary of State for Women and Equalities last year, and we very much hope they will deliver on this commitment in coming days. [2/2]

I didnt know this. I really think he can't find anyone capable to take it on.

illinivich · 07/07/2024 18:40

Harriet Harman?

GCAcademic · 07/07/2024 18:46

I expect the delay is due to some parliamentary uncertainty about whether Eddie Izzard can be titled Lady Izzard on his elevation to the HoL, given that the upper house was very clear that changing gender would not override primogeniture. It would mean one rule for hereditary peers and another for appointed peers.

RedToothBrush · 07/07/2024 19:03

Well Izzard anywhere near government will mean we will have PM Farage in 2029.

Fucking hell he'd probably have me voting for Reform. Shudder. He made Farage sound rational and reasonable at the 'Battle of The Thames 2016'.
.

GCAcademic · 07/07/2024 19:23

I do wonder how many voters opted for Leave after listening to the likes of Izzard, Bob Geldof and Will Self telling them why they shouldn’t. At the time there was a narrative about voters sticking it to Cameron, but I’m not so sure it was him they wanted to stick it to.

Shortshriftandlethal · 07/07/2024 19:23

Leniriefenstahl · 07/07/2024 18:14

That didn’t answer my question. How would voting to have less employment rights or reduced maternity/paternity leave or fewer holidays or unpaid sick leave help W/C people ?
What you’re essentially saying is that working class people want simplistic solutions to complex problems and that’s ok why shouldn’t they. Using the birch might be a popular punishment and one mooted by Reform UK because it appeals to the ‘hang ‘em high’ brigade but in reality it solves no problems.
And in a way you’re sentimentalising them. They hate shirkers maybe but like the rest of the population they’re happy to turn a blind eye. I know because I’m from a solid council estate W/C background as is DP.

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You didn't seem to ask a question as such; more that you seemed to assume that all of these working class rebels had been manipulated by Nigel Farage and his wealthy crew.

I tend to think it can be helpful, or certainly informative, to view society through the prism of movements and patterns in the collective. You must be aware of that saying from the Tao Te Ching " When the student is ready, the teacher appears"?

......It is not so much that an individual appears, and then manipulates the masses, rather that the leader becomes the antennae for shifts in the collective - gives voice to them. It is a symbiosis.

I'm not blanket categorising working class people at all; I'm recounting what i've witnessed and observed where I live. Some working class people are very much identified with being Socialists, others not at all. Some have no strong political motivation at all - just like any other segment of society.

shams05 · 07/07/2024 19:37

Shortshriftandlethal · 07/07/2024 10:04

Labour can rely on the newly enlarged LIb Dem ( And Greens) party for support and votes when it comes to getting gender identity stuff through parliament, but no so the Conservatives ( what remains of them) , not so Reform.

Also it will be interesting to see how the newly elected Muslim Independents evolve - into being having to be representative of more than just the Palestinain cause/anti Israel position they were elected on. I cannot imagine this Muslim electorate are going to be too much enamoured of gender identity politics, or certain other forms of 'wokeism', either

Just to address the Muslim vote in regards to gender politics.
The Muslim male population classes this subject as taboo, they're in denial that this nonsense is even happening so I wouldn't depend on them too greatly. Even the younger male Muslim generation are silent on this matter which is a huge shame.
The younger Muslim females are not as ignorant but I have found they're less likely to bother to vote so don't know how much we can rely on them.
It's a massive shame and something I mention alot when we're discussing voting and policies but definitely something that everyone wants to pretend is not happening.

lonelywater · 07/07/2024 19:41

illinivich · 07/07/2024 18:40

Harriet Harman?

Harriet "PIE-great bunch of blokes" Harman?

ResisterOfTwaddleRex · 07/07/2024 19:48

Harriet "PIE-great bunch of blokes" Harman?

They already saw fit to elevate her and Hodge to the Lords.

Children just don't count.

Floisme · 07/07/2024 22:35

Still no news?

I'm going to take a punt, firstly that someone who is accustomed to having his ear is lobbying very hard on behalf of their preferred candidate, and secondly that this 'someone' is not the Labour Women's Declaration.

JanesLittleGirl · 07/07/2024 22:56

Whatever happened to
Annaliese Dodds
She got an ice pick
That made her ears burn

Riffing off The Stranglers

lonelywater · 07/07/2024 23:21

JanesLittleGirl · 07/07/2024 22:56

Whatever happened to
Annaliese Dodds
She got an ice pick
That made her ears burn

Riffing off The Stranglers

Blimey-one for the teenagers there (not sure Dodds rhymes with Trotsky though)

RedToothBrush · 07/07/2024 23:37

The funny thing now in having failed to fill the vacancy, is no one GC is going to believe Starmer is anything but anti-women

The point of legal definitions of sex, is the ability to protect women. If you can't define a woman you can't protect them. If there is no minister to over see equality rights, then where are protections from that and someone dedicated to women's rights? Where is the oversight and accountability?

It really does look like Starmer is trying to dodge this. If you can't legally define women, how can you have a minister for women?

This isn't going away....