Harriet Harman is off again

[Paul_Stewart]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/23424137

Now it's cycling as the world just ignored her about golf. Surely if she wants real equality, the men and women would have to compete together.

 

[SocketRocket]

It does explain in the link that Women cannot compete in the same tour sections as men as it would be to arduous for them. This is why She wants the previous race resurrected.

Difficult as it is I seem to be in agreement with her

 

[Foxholer]

I wish she would fight for true equality at Wimbledon and other Grand Slams

If they are going to be 'paid the same', the Ladies should play best of 5 sets too!

 

[Sweep]

She says that "after the success of the Olympics" and "Britain has some of the best women cyclists in the world". Yes dear. But even though it is starting in Yorkshire next year, it's a French race. The clue is in the name.
I would be much more willing to take her seriously if she just once actually supported true equality and not back door feminism.
In the end, a women's race will happen if there is enough interest. It all comes down to economics and I doubt Mrs. Harman would be willing to risk her own money.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I quite like Harriet, she has a bit of a brain on her and a mind of her own.

Not your normal rent a quote politician.

I think history will be kind to her.

 

[Iaing]

I think history will be kind to her.

Hopefully soon!

 

[SocketRocket]

I quite like Harriet, she has a bit of a brain on her and a mind of her own.

Not your normal rent a quote politician.

I think history will be kind to her.

What about all that workplace discrimination she pushed through just before being kicked out. No joking in the office!!

 

[chrisd]

I quite like Harriet, she has a bit of a brain on her and a mind of her own.

Not your normal rent a quote politician.

I think history will be kind to her.

Sadly Doon, only a bit of a brain out weighed by a huge gob!

 

[Paul_Stewart]

Sadly Doon, only a bit of a brain out weighed by a huge gob!

It would be terribly impolite to associate the words "woman" and "normal" in this conversion ......

 

[Tiger]

Didn't see this coming. A pro equality, senior female politician being criticised by a bunch of men on a golf forum...

PS having actually met Harriet Harman I can concur with Doon that she is indeed a sharp lady

 

[Hacker Khan]

Didn't see this coming. A pro equality, senior female politician being criticised by a bunch of men on a golf forum...

Me neither, it's a depressingly inevitable shock isn't it.

And for the last time equality does not mean that men and women should, or want to compete in the same events in most sports. Why not say that until they we all go in the same toilets then there will not be true equality? How about until men have to give birth then there will never be true equality?

So for those who always bring this argument about up to justify excluding women and put down any woman who mentions equality then please stop it and come up with a slightly more intelligent reason why you are opposed to it. As it makes you look an ignorant Daily Mail reading arse. IMHO.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

As well as the normal quota of women haters I can only assume that quite a few 'blokes' on here have women bosses.

 

[Ethan]

Harman is a politician, therefore one must assume there is a self serving cynical motivation to this. The countdown to the next election has already begun, with Tory measures on welfare and Europe intended to draw the UKIP supporters back in. Presumably Labour have decided that the women's vote is critical, so they produce this sort of crap.

The irony, of course, is that Labour have transformed themselves from a party created by unions to a party supporting the city and free market. The free market has placed relative values on male versus female activities, and if there was a popular or commercial rationale for a women's Tour, there would be one already.

Harriet is a cynical politician. All women shortlists are used when needed to shoehorn in a favoured candidate. No all women shortlist was applied when her husband Jack Dromey wanted a safe seat.

Interestingly, in other domains, women earn a lot more than men. Modelling (or various sorts), for one, and ahem, adult movies. I expect that as a champion of equality, Harriet Harperson will shortly be demanding equitable treatment for male porn stars and male catwalk models.

 

[Ethan]

Didn't see this coming. A pro equality, senior female politician being criticised by a bunch of men on a golf forum...

PS having actually met Harriet Harman I can concur with Doon that she is indeed a sharp lady

She is not pro-equality. She is a cynical self serving politician who picks and chooses where she demands equality in accordance to the electoral or financial payoff attached.

Being sharp means she is just rather good at it.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

She is not pro-equality. She is a cynical self serving politician who picks and chooses where she demands equality in accordance to the electoral or financial payoff attached.

Being sharp means she is just rather good at it.

Somehow quoting female models and porn stars has not really helped your argument.
Was that the first thing you thought of?

 

[FairwayDodger]

I think she's one of the few conviction politicians we have and an absolute shining light amongst the dross in parliament. She obviously feels strongly about the inequities women face in our patriarchal society and has decided to stand up and speak out against it knowing full well the level of abuse and ridicule she will take from misogynists everywhere.

Lots of hatred of all-female selection lists and no comment whatsoever on the fact that only 1 in 5 MPs is female. They may be a crude approach to tackling this problem but how else can this be addressed? Actually don't answer; I'm sure most of you already think there are too many female MPs.

Interestingly, in other domains, women earn a lot more than men. Modelling (or various sorts), for one, and ahem, adult movies. I expect that as a champion of equality, Harriet Harperson will shortly be demanding equitable treatment for male porn stars and male catwalk models.

Now I've heard it all, porn as a bastion of anti-male discrimination.

 

[Ethan]

Somehow quoting female models and porn stars has not really helped your argument.
Was that the first thing you thought of?

It was deliberately chosen to illustrate that Harman is cynically choosing a subject she thinks will resonate with the public. Other unpopular or contentious subjects will be avoided.

The real issue here is that the next election campaign has started. The Tories are focussing on the UKIP voters, hence Europe, justice, immigration etc. Labour have a lead in the polls, but they know it is fragile, and every time Ed Miliband opens his mouth, it is vulnerable. Harman is reminding people she is there, and is one of those sharpening their knives to use in stabbing Miliband in the back in time to allow a new leader to take Labour into the election.

Her statement on a womens TdF is an easy no-cost piece of fluff. She doesn't care whether a womens race is set up or not, and she knows that if women wanted one, it would already happen. But some people will agree strongly with her, many will give some support, and very few will strongly object. So, no cost to her, and she has a talking point to raise between now and the start of the TdF in the UK next year.

 

[chrisd]

Lots of hatred of all-female selection lists and no comment whatsoever on the fact that only 1 in 5 MPs is female. They may be a crude approach to tackling this problem but how else can this be addressed?

How about - on merit?

 

[FairwayDodger]

How about - on merit?

Do you think 1 in 5 represents a meritocracy?

 

[Tiger]

Now I've heard it all, porn as a bastion of anti-male discrimination.

:thup:

And speaking of porn there is probably a correlation between the Government finally taking a stand on child internet porn (long overdue) and the arrival of the Royal baby. Are we seeing the start of political posturing as we have the long build up to the General Election? Of course. Doesn't detract from HHs efforts for equality in my mind though