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Do you think David Cameron is sexist?

15 replies

bex789helen789 · 20/11/2012 09:49

I am currently doing a project regarding this subject, and I'm interested to know how Mums reacted to the two incidents in which David Cameron was called a sexist in the papers. The first incident being when he told Labour MP Angela Eagle to "calm down, dear" (you can watch the video on YouTube if you haven't already), and the second being when he told Conservative MP Nadine Dorries that she was clearly "frustrated". Did this change your opinion of the David Cameron, the Conservatives, or do you feel that the attitude towards women is the same throughout all politicians and their parties?

Your comments would be really helpful and appreciated!
Thankyou

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 20/11/2012 11:48

I think, like a lot of powerful/successful people, Cameron is arrogant and that attitude applies equally to men and women. I thought 'calm down dear' was a failed attempt at invoking the Michael Winner catchphrase rather than sexism per se. And the word 'frustrated' only became an issue because of the childish reaction of the other men in the house, sniggering away like ridiculus schoolboys.

My problem is therefore not with an individual politician or a particular party it is with The Commons and especially PMQs as the most public face of the institution. Alll of that booing and cat-calling is quite bizarre and totally unlike any discussion forum I experience in real life. In a business setting where differences of opinion are being robustly expressed, anyone muttering snidey remarks, or waving documents would be hauled out by security. So my opinion is that, as long as we persist in this Chimpanzee's Tea Party format, we shouldn't be surprised if stupid/offensive/childish things end up being said.

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mignonette · 20/11/2012 11:52

It didn't change my opinion because I already felt he was sexist. Watch interviews with him closely where he is addresses by both male and female interviewers and you will see him automatically gravitate towards the male.

And SamCam is a product of the misogynistic upper classes and has been inducted and socialised into it's patriarchal structure. So I do not buy it when people argue that she would never tolerate it.

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mignonette · 20/11/2012 11:53

Grammar- 'its' not' it's'

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Furoshika · 20/11/2012 11:58

I think that as a male of his age and background, he is far more likely to be sexist than not. As well as arrogant.

Whichever way you look at it, a joke patronising a woman is still patronising a woman. The fact that it was an attempt at humour isn't relevant. We have been fighting the idea that jokes are ok because they're just jokes for decades now. That's why Jim Davidson is no longer on TV. This is no different.

It didn't change my opinion of him: I already loathe him. He is in charge of a government which is actively disadvantaging women, how could be anything but a massive sexist?

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 20/11/2012 16:12

BTW OP.... if you were researching whether people thought David Cameron was a weekend satanist with a penchant for baby seal clubbing, you'd probably get a great big 'yes' back from the average MN-er. :)

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ohmeohmy · 20/11/2012 16:38

I have many many words to describe David Cameron, none of them positive, and yes sexist shit would be I there.

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ironman · 20/11/2012 16:45

Yes. Like three quarters (probably more) of the male population. TBH I could not care less. Grin

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chipstick10 · 21/11/2012 09:14

I think the calm down dear was supposed to be a parody of Michael winner in the advert. I think it was a massive over reaction and any reason to target the arrogant posh rich boy the better. Yawn.

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bex789helen789 · 22/11/2012 10:16

Thank you all for your comments they have been really helpful!

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torychicetc · 25/01/2013 12:33

When Cameron is with male friends, I suppose he is sexist

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BeanJuice · 27/01/2013 11:00

I actually quite like David Cameron Blush

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slug · 27/01/2013 11:12

The fact that David Cameron apparently finds it impossible to find any talented female Tory MPs while promoting the likes of Jeremy Hunt and Dominic "It's womens' own fault they are paid less" Rabat tells you all you need to know about his opinion of women.

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Mumfortoddler · 27/01/2013 20:27

Well ditto slug. The man is a grade A arse and I certainly think his constant slur about mothers taking responsibility for their children, whilst he constantly fails to admit that really fathers should be taking responsibility for their children is an ongoing confession of sexism. The man is deplorable.

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twofingerstoGideon · 27/01/2013 22:33

Never mind what he said to Nadine Dorries and Angela Eagle, have a look at his government's policies and see how they have had a more detrimental effect on women than men for example, have a look at the make-up of his cabinet...

OP, do you really need to ask whether he's sexist? Surely it's self-evident.

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hoodoo12345 · 28/01/2013 15:44

There are many words i could use to describe David Cameron, sexist being only one.Angry

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