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David Cameron under fire for refusing to wear pro-feminist T-shirt David Cameron under fire for refusing to wear pro-feminist T-shirt
(34 minutes later)
Nick Clegg did it. Benedict Cumberbatch and Ed Miliband did it too. But David Cameron has been accused of having an issue with feminism after he refused five times to wear a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase: “This is what a feminist looks like”. Nick Clegg did it. Benedict Cumberbatch and Ed Miliband did it too. But David Cameron has been accused of having an issue with feminism after he refused five times to wear a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase: “This is what a feminist looks like.”
The prime minister repeately declined to be pictured wearing the garment after being approached by Elle magazine. Both the deputy prime minister and Labour leader were happy to wear the T-shirts – as were actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston and Joseph Gordon Levitt – but Cameron staunchly resisted. The prime minister repeatedly declined to be pictured wearing the garment after being approached by Elle magazine. Both the deputy prime minister and Labour leader were happy to wear the T-shirts – as were actors Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston and Joseph Gordon-Levitt – but Cameron staunchly resisted.
Lorraine Candy, editor-in-chief of Elle, said: “This is a shame on so many levels, especially given he knew Nick Clegg and David Miliband had agreed without hesitation, alongside many other influential men who were more than happy to call themselves feminists. It seems the prime minister still has an issue with the word feminist.” Lorraine Candy, editor-in-chief of Elle, said: “This is a shame on so many levels, especially given he knew Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband had agreed without hesitation, alongside many other influential men who were more than happy to call themselves feminists. It seems the prime minister still has an issue with the word feminist.”
Elle had approached Cameron as part of its upcoming feminism issue. When asked by the magazine why the PM would not wear the garment, Cameron’s team said he would rather give them a supportive quote instead. But the quote, it turned out, made no mention of the word feminism.Elle had approached Cameron as part of its upcoming feminism issue. When asked by the magazine why the PM would not wear the garment, Cameron’s team said he would rather give them a supportive quote instead. But the quote, it turned out, made no mention of the word feminism.
“I was personally disappointed that we couldn’t feature Mr Cameron in our feminism issue because it is Elle’s aim to engage with men in the fight for equality: because of parliament’s current gender imbalance, it is men who have the power to make changes in every area of British women’s lives,” said Candy.“I was personally disappointed that we couldn’t feature Mr Cameron in our feminism issue because it is Elle’s aim to engage with men in the fight for equality: because of parliament’s current gender imbalance, it is men who have the power to make changes in every area of British women’s lives,” said Candy.
“When the man in charge doesn’t engage, it doesn’t bode well. Given the huge international male support for the UN women’s #HeForShe campaign, it does rather make our prime minister look like the odd one out.”“When the man in charge doesn’t engage, it doesn’t bode well. Given the huge international male support for the UN women’s #HeForShe campaign, it does rather make our prime minister look like the odd one out.”
It is not the first time Cameron’s has been accused of betraying his “ill-suppressed Bullingdon Club instincts”. Last September he got in a pickle when asked by Red magazine whether he was a feminist. He paused, before replying: “I don’t know what I’d call myself ... it’s up to others to attach labels. But I believe men and women should be treated equally.” It is not the first time Cameron’s has been accused of betraying his “ill-suppressed Bullingdon Club instincts”. Last September he got in a pickle when asked by Red magazine whether he was a feminist. He paused, before replying: “I don’t know what I’d call myself … it’s up to others to attach labels. But I believe men and women should be treated equally.”
In 2011, he came under fire for telling the Labour MP Angela Eagle to “calm down dear” during a Commons exchange. His latest move might have angered Elle magazine, but some Twitter users were more sympathetic: In 2011, he came under fire for telling the Labour MP Angela Eagle to “calm down dear” during a Commons exchange. His latest move may have angered Elle magazine, but many Twitter users were more sympathetic:
Sorry Elle, but the last thing feminism needs is for David Cameron to declare himself a 'feminist.' http://t.co/psNg0ycJmaSorry Elle, but the last thing feminism needs is for David Cameron to declare himself a 'feminist.' http://t.co/psNg0ycJma
I'm glad David Cameron said no to wearing the Elle t-shirt. I really don't want the Prime Minister to wear slogan t-shirts for publicityI'm glad David Cameron said no to wearing the Elle t-shirt. I really don't want the Prime Minister to wear slogan t-shirts for publicity
Twitter is getting exercised because the Prime Minister won't wear a magazine's T-shirt. He's the Prime Minister not a top-shop model FFS.
Others said it would be hypocritical for Cameron to call himself a feminist.Others said it would be hypocritical for Cameron to call himself a feminist.
Prime minister responsible for policies actively damaging to women refuses to wear feminist t-shirt for women's magazine. *massive shrug*Prime minister responsible for policies actively damaging to women refuses to wear feminist t-shirt for women's magazine. *massive shrug*
The fact that Clegg is wearing the t shirt for ELLE's feminist issue makes him marginally less of a tool than Dave- NOT a feminist.The fact that Clegg is wearing the t shirt for ELLE's feminist issue makes him marginally less of a tool than Dave- NOT a feminist.
Daisy Sands, the head of the campaigning body the Fawcett Society said she was pleased that Cameron, Miliband and Clegg pledged support for equality between women and men – but said it was a shame that the prime minster appeared uneasy with feminism. Daisy Sands, head of the campaigning body the Fawcett Society, said she was pleased Cameron, Miliband and Clegg had pledged support for equality between women and men – but said it was a shame the prime minster appeared uneasy with feminism.
“We understand making a personal commitment to the cause of feminism is a matter for the individual to decide. As it stands, it would appear that David Cameron is not comfortable with identifying himself with the cause of feminism, which, given the huge contribution the feminist movement has made to advancing women’s rights, is unfortunate,” Sands said.“We understand making a personal commitment to the cause of feminism is a matter for the individual to decide. As it stands, it would appear that David Cameron is not comfortable with identifying himself with the cause of feminism, which, given the huge contribution the feminist movement has made to advancing women’s rights, is unfortunate,” Sands said.
• This article was amended on 27 October 2014, as it initially referred to David rather than Ed Miliband. This came from a quote on the Elle website, which it has now amended