An article in the weekend press generated a huge degree of outrage. And quite understandably, too.
The Mail on Sunday ran an piece quoting a Conservative MP who had suggested Labour’s deputy leader Angela Raynor was using tactics taken from 1990’s film Basic Instinct to distract the Prime Minister at question time.
It was an extraordinary article, both that the comments had been made, but also that it was written at all. That it was a misogynistic and crass comment is beyond doubt. But as chair of the Woman and Equalities Select Committee said on Women’s Hour on Monday morning, it was extraordinary that the editorial process of a national newspaper allowed the article to be published at all.
A few years ago, I co-chaired the Conservative organisation Women2Win. The aim of this group was to find more women to come to parliament, to drive greater gender balance in national politics without having to rely on women only candidate shortlists. I mentored a few candidates, some of whom are now ministers. But throughout my time as co-chair, and ever since, I have been astonished at how appallingly badly women are treated in public life.
Angela Raynor’s treatment was terrible, but so too has been the treatment of people like Diane Abbott, and others, who is regularly brutally maligned. At the other end of the spectrum, equally serious women politicians such as Theresa May or Nichola Sturgeon (and most others) are as often commented on for their dress sense as their political intelligence. Others get cancelled because of their views on complex matters such as women’s rights, especially in the complex arena of trans issues. Yet all are accomplished, intelligent politicians.
It is, of course, entirely reasonable to challenge any individual who puts themselves up for public office. Debating political differences is an important part of the political process. But what is not acceptable is attacking an individual at a personal level.
We need more people to come forward for public office. We need to attract talent and determination that comes from across the gender, race, religious, and any other divide that we can think of.
We will probably never know who made the comments about Angela Raynor – the press is steadfast about protecting their sources. But we do know that the media can be as much to blame for spreading the misogyny as those who initiate it. If we want to get more, better politicians, we need a new approach. From everyone.