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Harriet Harman attacks Nick Clegg over Lib Dems’ record on women Harriet Harman attacks Nick Clegg over Lib Dems’ record on women
(35 minutes later)
Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman traded blows with Nick Clegg over Labour and Liberal Democrats’ respective records on women, as she accused Clegg of running away from the government’s poor record. The deputy leader of the Labour party, Harriet Harman, traded blows with Nick Clegg in Wednesday’s prime minister’s questions over Labour and the Liberal Democrats’ respective records on women, as she accused Clegg of running away from the government’s poor record.
Clegg was standing in for David Cameron who was visiting Auschwitz in Poland. Clegg has avoided three prime minister’s questions in succession, as well as last week’s autumn statement in the Commons.Clegg was standing in for David Cameron who was visiting Auschwitz in Poland. Clegg has avoided three prime minister’s questions in succession, as well as last week’s autumn statement in the Commons.
Harman claimed that any gains from tax cuts for women under the coalition had been more than eliminated by slashed tax credits, saying it was breathtaking that 85% of those who benefited from the cut in the top rate of tax to 45p were men.Harman claimed that any gains from tax cuts for women under the coalition had been more than eliminated by slashed tax credits, saying it was breathtaking that 85% of those who benefited from the cut in the top rate of tax to 45p were men.
Clegg responded: “We have cut tax for 11.9 million women – the gender pay gap for women under 40 has pretty well disappeared under this coalition.Clegg responded: “We have cut tax for 11.9 million women – the gender pay gap for women under 40 has pretty well disappeared under this coalition.
“Under Labour, only one in eight of FTSE board members, under this government there are more women on FTSE 100 boards than ever before.“Under Labour, only one in eight of FTSE board members, under this government there are more women on FTSE 100 boards than ever before.
“The Labour party is becoming the Lance Armstrong of British politics – they have forgotten the better half of a decade of how they messed things up.”“The Labour party is becoming the Lance Armstrong of British politics – they have forgotten the better half of a decade of how they messed things up.”
Clegg’s claim that women have suffered due to Labour’s pension decisions was challenged by Harman, who pointed out the independent Institute of Fiscal Studies had shown the opposite.Clegg’s claim that women have suffered due to Labour’s pension decisions was challenged by Harman, who pointed out the independent Institute of Fiscal Studies had shown the opposite.
Later Lib Dems briefers said Clegg was in fact saying that pensioner poverty had been reduced further under the coalition, with 200,000 pensioners taken out of poverty. Later Lib Dem briefers said Clegg was in fact saying that pensioner poverty had been reduced further under the coalition, with 200,000 pensioners taken out of poverty.
Harman also pointed out that there had been a 90% fall in sex discrimination cases, adding this included women discriminated against for being pregnant.Harman also pointed out that there had been a 90% fall in sex discrimination cases, adding this included women discriminated against for being pregnant.
Harman believes the coalition is vulnerable on its record over women and pointed out that Clegg had made seven cabinet appointments in his five years in coalition, and not appointed a single woman. Clegg had ensured Liberal Democrat ministers were on his front bench for the exchanges, but none of them have made the cabinet. He said Harman was making a Westminster point. Harman believes the coalition is vulnerable on its record over women and pointed out that Clegg had made seven cabinet appointments in his five years in coalition, and not appointed a single woman. Clegg had ensured Lib Dem ministers were on his front bench for the exchanges, but none of them have made the cabinet. He said Harman was making a Westminster point.
Harman attacked Clegg when he refused to say how many women he had appointed: “You are reluctant to answer the question – normally when asked about numbers and women, you’re quite forthcoming.”Harman attacked Clegg when he refused to say how many women he had appointed: “You are reluctant to answer the question – normally when asked about numbers and women, you’re quite forthcoming.”
Her remark was a reference to Clegg’s notorious 2008 GQ interview – in which he said he had slept with “no more than 30” women – and sparked cheers from her benches. Her remark, which sparked cheers from her benches, was a reference to Clegg’s notorious 2008 GQ interview – in which he said he had slept with “no more than 30” women.
Harman rounded on Clegg at the end of the exchanges saying: “You are completely out of touch with women’s lives. And it is always the same with you. You talk the talk but you walk through the lobby with the Tories. Harman rounded on Clegg at the end of the exchange saying: “You are completely out of touch with women’s lives. And it is always the same with you. You talk the talk but you walk through the lobby with the Tories.
“You brief against them but always vote with them. You complain about the autumn statement but you sign it off. That’s why people will never trust you or your party ever again.”“You brief against them but always vote with them. You complain about the autumn statement but you sign it off. That’s why people will never trust you or your party ever again.”
Clegg again defended his decision not to be in the Commons last week saying the “autumn statement was a coalition autumn statement. I spent one day in Cornwall. Members opposite have been spending five years in cloud cuckoo land when it comes to the economy. Clegg again defended his decision not to be in the Commons last week, describing the autumn statement as “a coalition autumn statement”. “I spent one day in Cornwall. Members opposite have been spending five years in cloud cuckoo land when it comes to the economy. This side of the house have been clearing up the mess that they created.”
“This side of the house have been clearing up the mess that they created.”