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Abuse, threats, vile colleagues… why would you want to be an MP?

Editorial / Opinion Piece / Blog Post

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November 14, 2019

Abuse, threats, vile colleagues… why would you want to be an MP?

Source: The Guardian

By Catherine Bennett,

Wanted: men – and women – who are comfortable around misogyny. We are looking for strong, confident, disagreeable characters who enjoy verbal abuse, exchanging insults, and predominantly male company. Must be able to point and shout and use a smartphone. A diagnosis of narcissism will be considered an advantage, a proven lack of empathy is essential. Are you an angry white person with a history of insulting and socially transgressive behaviour? Then a career as an MP is waiting for you, starting salary £79,468 basic + expenses. No qualifications, references or previous experience necessary. Start date ASAP. Apply to your local political party quoting ref #GE19.

If a career in UK politics has long been unappealing to people who are any of female, quiet, self-effacing or dispassionate, the premature exit of impressive female MPs attributing their departures to relentless, often sexist abuse and threats, now makes it look actively perverse. The consequences for faltering female representation in Westminster could be serious, unless there really are unexpected reserves of women who have the ability and courage of a Jess Phillips, Anna Soubry or Margaret Hodge, or fellow targets Rosie Cooper, Luciana Berger, Rosie Duffield.

Click here to read the full article published by The Guardian on 3 November 2019.

Focus areas

By Catherine Bennett,

Wanted: men – and women – who are comfortable around misogyny. We are looking for strong, confident, disagreeable characters who enjoy verbal abuse, exchanging insults, and predominantly male company. Must be able to point and shout and use a smartphone. A diagnosis of narcissism will be considered an advantage, a proven lack of empathy is essential. Are you an angry white person with a history of insulting and socially transgressive behaviour? Then a career as an MP is waiting for you, starting salary £79,468 basic + expenses. No qualifications, references or previous experience necessary. Start date ASAP. Apply to your local political party quoting ref #GE19.

If a career in UK politics has long been unappealing to people who are any of female, quiet, self-effacing or dispassionate, the premature exit of impressive female MPs attributing their departures to relentless, often sexist abuse and threats, now makes it look actively perverse. The consequences for faltering female representation in Westminster could be serious, unless there really are unexpected reserves of women who have the ability and courage of a Jess Phillips, Anna Soubry or Margaret Hodge, or fellow targets Rosie Cooper, Luciana Berger, Rosie Duffield.

Click here to read the full article published by The Guardian on 3 November 2019.

Focus areas