United Kingdom
Related: About this forumMarina Hyde absolutely bloody nails it. Andrea Leadsom dreadful.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/09/andrea-leadsom-tory-leadership-am-dram-peasant-revolt?CMP=share_btn_twThe whole piece is howlingly funny, and incredibly depressing at the same time. In other words, the best of British.
T_i_B
(14,734 posts)I find this stuff to be baffling. I don't cast my vote based on whether or not a candidate has dropped a sprog, and furthermore, it would never be an issue with a male politican if we are being honest here.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36752865
The Times quoted Mrs Leadsom as saying having children means she has "a very real stake" in Britain's future.
But the mother of three tweeted that she was "disgusted" with the interview.
Times journalist Rachel Sylvester has defended her article saying she was "baffled" by Mrs Leadsom's reaction.
BooScout
(10,406 posts)The Times has now released the tape of the interview when she started whining it was taken out of context. She's not coming off well at all.
T_i_B
(14,734 posts)I think that many in the Tory grassroots want a PM who supported the "leave" campaign, regardless of whether or not they are fit for office. Ideological purity or bust!
BooScout
(10,406 posts)They are determined that no grassroots movement will try and take over the party and this campaign is proving very interesting. The entire scenario from Cameron's resignation to the Gove vs Boris bruhaha to this latest twist all smacks of a smoky backroom coordination to me so far.
LeftishBrit
(41,190 posts)I remember that it did come up with William Hague, and that he felt forced to go public about his wife's fertility problems.
I think that it's partly a dog-whistle appeal to homophobes that 'ooh, this person might be gay, don't vote for them', and partly that having children somehow proves that you are a Real Person, who knows the price of milk, etc.
I have certainly never thought that having children would make a politician more concerned about the country's future. But if I ever had, the disgusting sight of Boris and Nigel, as fathers of mixed-national-origin children, deliberately fomenting racism and nationalistic prejudice in this country to advance their own careers would CERTAINLY have cured me of such a view!
T_i_B
(14,734 posts)...that a parent ought to care more about the future of this country for their children's sake.
However, looking at the way that older voters do vote I cannot agree with that argument. All too often, people are selfish and will put their own narrow interests ahead of what might be best for their children, let alone the rest of society.
Denzil_DC
(7,188 posts)I mean, the rest of her CV ...
Denzil_DC
(7,188 posts)(though as a childless/child-free person, I guess I would say that ...).
But it did get used up here during the Scottish referendum:
* Leaders accused of not having to worry about future as they are childless
* Sturgeon and Salmond have 're-established divisions', say rugby players
* Former Scotland winger Steve Munro said they have no understanding of children
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2754216/Childless-SNP-chiefs-no-feel-UK-family-Leaders-Scottish-National-Party-want-break-Union-not-understand-families-claimed.html
Yeah, it's the Mail. (I don't think it gained any traction among the undecided at the time, but it's not the first or last time it's been aimed at Sturgeon.)
Denzil_DC
(7,188 posts)They started out buying Leadsom's claim and dismissing it as The Times misquoting her.
When the recording blew that defence out of the water, they turned to vehemently defending her argument.
Now many of them are claiming that The Times has retracted its story:
It's amazing what a crappy Photoshop will do. Almost as amazing as watching so many of them make arses of themselves on Twitter when people they're arguing with point out it's a spoof tweet.
And this is - what? - day 3 of this? They're going to wear themselves out.
Dworkin
(164 posts)Hi,
Has anyone noticed that Leadsom's candidacy could be Corbynesque? Grass roots Tories might want full blooded Tory, similarly to grass roots Labour wanting full blooded Labour?
At least the Tories have weeded out some of the most dangerous choices before going to the membership. Interestingly, in the 'primary' process of leadership elections, the Tories and the US Democrats seem more similar in process and the US Republicans and Labour seem more similar, when looking at all four parties. Maybe Miliband's voting reforms have had unexpected results.
D.
non sociopath skin
(4,972 posts)If the election included rational people, Leadsom wouldn't have a chance.
But these are Tory Party MEMBERS!
MEMBERS!!!!
The Skin
T_i_B
(14,734 posts)Even if his leadership plainly hasn't worked out. That much is actually more understandable than Tories cheering for Leadsom. Whatever Corbyn's faults, he is a person of decency and integrity. Not something I could reasonably say about Andrea Leadsom.
Hi TiB,
Understood. My comment was more about the process of voting in the parties. I agree with you about Jeremy Corbyn's character and sympathise with much of his politics. Just wish to God he could unite the party at this crucial time. Leadsom is a different prospect and my personal nightmare. A united Tory party under Leadsom?
Fortunately Leadsom has just been caught out with the 'mothergate' scandal, with taped evidence to prove, so she is no political genius so far.
D.
TubbersUK
(1,439 posts)But you're right, it's also pretty scary: