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auntpurl

(4,311 posts)
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 04:58 AM Jul 2016

Marina 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_tw

"I want to speak to the markets,” Leadsom smiled, with the air of someone who imagines you can negotiate with gravity. There was absolutely nothing to fear, she went on, smiling that smile again. Andrea Leadsom’s smile is terrifying. It is the smile of the school careers adviser telling you flatly that the school is looking for a night caretaker. It is a smile that is powered by the extinguishing of your future. You can’t escape Andrea’s smile. And it’ll certainly come for you if you try.


The whole piece is howlingly funny, and incredibly depressing at the same time. In other words, the best of British.


14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Marina Hyde absolutely bloody nails it. Andrea Leadsom dreadful. (Original Post) auntpurl Jul 2016 OP
Andrea Leadsom sparks row over 'motherhood' comments T_i_B Jul 2016 #1
I think she's toast... BooScout Jul 2016 #2
I'm not so optimistic T_i_B Jul 2016 #3
Meh....The Tories learned from what occurred with Labour and Corbyn.... BooScout Jul 2016 #6
Disgusting - but not quite true that it would never be an issue with a male politician LeftishBrit Jul 2016 #4
I can understand the logic... T_i_B Jul 2016 #12
Has anybody checked that Leadsom actually HAS sprogs? Denzil_DC Jul 2016 #8
I agree with you, it's ridiculous Denzil_DC Jul 2016 #11
Leadsom's social media supporters are torn. Denzil_DC Jul 2016 #14
Corbynesque Dworkin Jul 2016 #5
I share your concerns. non sociopath skin Jul 2016 #7
I can totally understand why Labour members went for Corbyn T_i_B Jul 2016 #9
Understood Dworkin Jul 2016 #10
Thanks, I love a bit of dry humour :) TubbersUK Jul 2016 #13

T_i_B

(14,734 posts)
1. Andrea Leadsom sparks row over 'motherhood' comments
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 05:03 AM
Jul 2016

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

A row has erupted after Conservative leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom was accused of suggesting that having children made her a better choice to be prime minister.

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)
2. I think she's toast...
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 05:25 AM
Jul 2016

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)
3. I'm not so optimistic
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 05:28 AM
Jul 2016

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)
6. Meh....The Tories learned from what occurred with Labour and Corbyn....
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 05:41 AM
Jul 2016

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)
4. Disgusting - but not quite true that it would never be an issue with a male politician
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 05:30 AM
Jul 2016

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)
12. I can understand the logic...
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 07:42 AM
Jul 2016

...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)
11. I agree with you, it's ridiculous
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 07:27 AM
Jul 2016

(though as a childless/child-free person, I guess I would say that ...).

But it did get used up here during the Scottish referendum:

Childless SNP chiefs 'who have no feel for UK family': Leaders of Scottish National Party 'want to break up Union because they do not understand families', it is claimed

* 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)
14. Leadsom's social media supporters are torn.
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 06:16 PM
Jul 2016

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)
5. Corbynesque
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 05:40 AM
Jul 2016

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)
7. I share your concerns.
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 05:52 AM
Jul 2016

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)
9. I can totally understand why Labour members went for Corbyn
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 06:42 AM
Jul 2016

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.

Dworkin

(164 posts)
10. Understood
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 07:05 AM
Jul 2016

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)
13. Thanks, I love a bit of dry humour :)
Sat Jul 9, 2016, 08:02 AM
Jul 2016

But you're right, it's also pretty scary:

Andrea’s the passionate advocate of attachment theory who wants to abolish maternity rights. If you’re one of those people who imagines that the latter two positions are in some way contradictory, you are strongly urged to let go of your rational brain and experience Andrea as an idea, a feeling, a repository for thousands of subclinical Thatcher fixations which are less an indicator of her calibre than they are of the stigmatisation of asking for help among a particular stripe of Tory rank and file.
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