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The Synod and the Tories have finally realised they need a woman's touch The church and the Tories have finally realised they need a woman's touch
(35 minutes later)
As David Cameron seeks to elevate some women to cabinet and even floats the idea of women-only shortlists in order to present the Tory party as "modern", the everyday myth of meritocracy lies shattered on the carpet. Quick, get "a lady who does" in to hoover it up and throw around some scatter cushions. After four years it has conceded a woman's touch may be required.As David Cameron seeks to elevate some women to cabinet and even floats the idea of women-only shortlists in order to present the Tory party as "modern", the everyday myth of meritocracy lies shattered on the carpet. Quick, get "a lady who does" in to hoover it up and throw around some scatter cushions. After four years it has conceded a woman's touch may be required.
The whole situation is actually quite ludicrous. Has it been impossible to find a woman with the communication skills of an Andrew Lansley or the charisma of a Chris Grayling until an impending election? Do these guys never feel awkward as they loosen their ties around a table full of clones drawing up policies that slam women and children?The whole situation is actually quite ludicrous. Has it been impossible to find a woman with the communication skills of an Andrew Lansley or the charisma of a Chris Grayling until an impending election? Do these guys never feel awkward as they loosen their ties around a table full of clones drawing up policies that slam women and children?
Apparently not, as we are assured by the hipster wing of the Tory party that they personally have no problems with women. They marry them, employ them as assistants and presumably watch Benny Hill together as a treat on date night.Apparently not, as we are assured by the hipster wing of the Tory party that they personally have no problems with women. They marry them, employ them as assistants and presumably watch Benny Hill together as a treat on date night.
It's the other bit of the Tory party that can't figure out those funny chaps called women. Out of a longlist of 11 to replace South Suffolk MP Tim Yeo, seven were women, but three men made the shortist.It's the other bit of the Tory party that can't figure out those funny chaps called women. Out of a longlist of 11 to replace South Suffolk MP Tim Yeo, seven were women, but three men made the shortist.
Does it matter? We all know that women may be as tough and as illiberal and rightwing as any guy, and often peculiarly distrusting of their own gender.Does it matter? We all know that women may be as tough and as illiberal and rightwing as any guy, and often peculiarly distrusting of their own gender.
Indeed it is fascinating to see some of the 2,000 women within the Church of England ardently arguing against women bishops, an idea that was basically agreed years ago. This coalition of Evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics believe it is God's will for the church to have male leadership.Indeed it is fascinating to see some of the 2,000 women within the Church of England ardently arguing against women bishops, an idea that was basically agreed years ago. This coalition of Evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics believe it is God's will for the church to have male leadership.
A new deal may be brokered in which congregations can be "safeguarded" from having to deal with women bishops. In the light of current paedophile scandals, the use of the word safeguarding to mean protecting people from women in positions of power is telling.A new deal may be brokered in which congregations can be "safeguarded" from having to deal with women bishops. In the light of current paedophile scandals, the use of the word safeguarding to mean protecting people from women in positions of power is telling.
Don't tell them that the head of the Church of England is a woman! Although perhaps the Queen has a special exemption.Don't tell them that the head of the Church of England is a woman! Although perhaps the Queen has a special exemption.
While institutions of government and church contort themselves about handing equal status to women, the argument is simple. It is not that women are morally superior or that we all think the same, but that our experience and our priorities are equally valid – though it may be sometimes be different to those of men.While institutions of government and church contort themselves about handing equal status to women, the argument is simple. It is not that women are morally superior or that we all think the same, but that our experience and our priorities are equally valid – though it may be sometimes be different to those of men.
The key point is that institutions which claim to represent the populace as both the church and government do, need to actually represent all of us. The drift away from the church, the tangible disconnection of the political elite, is not wholly but surely partly to do with the fact that rich white men, no matter how well briefed by younger versions of themselves, have no idea of how it is for most women. Though they will go around "meeting" them so they can name them in dire speeches at party conference.The key point is that institutions which claim to represent the populace as both the church and government do, need to actually represent all of us. The drift away from the church, the tangible disconnection of the political elite, is not wholly but surely partly to do with the fact that rich white men, no matter how well briefed by younger versions of themselves, have no idea of how it is for most women. Though they will go around "meeting" them so they can name them in dire speeches at party conference.
No party is good on this. If Labour scrapes in via a Lib Dem coalition, as looks likely, the Lib Dems will be scrabbling around to appoint someone female.No party is good on this. If Labour scrapes in via a Lib Dem coalition, as looks likely, the Lib Dems will be scrabbling around to appoint someone female.
What a ridiculous state of affairs. This is not about Cameron as an individual or Justin Welby, this is about institutional inertia.What a ridiculous state of affairs. This is not about Cameron as an individual or Justin Welby, this is about institutional inertia.
All male institutions function with an ideology that insists they are the crème de la crème and that this is a natural state of affairs. Thus the simple demand that representative democracy looks like the country it represents is somehow radical.All male institutions function with an ideology that insists they are the crème de la crème and that this is a natural state of affairs. Thus the simple demand that representative democracy looks like the country it represents is somehow radical.
Defending his boss, Tory MP James Brokenshire said: "Yes, we need to do more to ensure that as a party we reflect men, women and also all communities across the UK." Women and communities. Code for what exactly?Defending his boss, Tory MP James Brokenshire said: "Yes, we need to do more to ensure that as a party we reflect men, women and also all communities across the UK." Women and communities. Code for what exactly?
The fact is we are run by very small communities of men who are so desperate to cling on to power they will bus in a few women and call it diversity. The blind spot at the top is not that these guys cannot see women as equals. It is that they cannot see themselves. For if they did ever catch their own reflection they would see how chronically out of touch and out of time they now look.The fact is we are run by very small communities of men who are so desperate to cling on to power they will bus in a few women and call it diversity. The blind spot at the top is not that these guys cannot see women as equals. It is that they cannot see themselves. For if they did ever catch their own reflection they would see how chronically out of touch and out of time they now look.