Top Tory: I would only select fit women


by Sunny Hundal    
7:58 pm - August 21st 2009

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The number of Tories who keep airing their views and embarassing leader David Cameron seems to be never-ending.

Alan Scard is in charge of selecting a Tory candidate for Gosport, where the sitting MP Sir Peter Viggers quit after trying to claim for a floating duck house on expenses.

In an interview with Channel 4 News today, when asked if he supported David Cameron’s attempts to introduce more women into parliament, he said:

If they are attractive yeah I would go for it.

He then added:

I suppose a woman…if they are attractive…I know it’s a sexist thing to say but you could get the blokes saying ‘Oh you know I would vote for her because she’s really attractive’ but then the other women say ‘Oh I don’t like her she’s too attractive.’

The chairman of Gosport Conservative Association is in the process of selecting a would-be MP from a list of candidates approved by Tory headquarters.

But Channel 4 News has learnt that activists in the Hampshire seat have clashed with the Conservative leadership over the type of MP they want.

More at Channel 4 News website.

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About the author
Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
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Reader comments


1. Malcolm Redfellow

In the circumstances, it’s difficult not to infringe the rule that “Misogynist, racist, homophobic and xenophobic comments will be deleted”. Nevertheless, in the spirit of comradeship, allow me to offer the following:

These things never go away. There’s always an unreconstructed neanderthaler with a loose mouth. The Tories still have them (whom we post-modernist progressives never stop blessing).

However, such asinine behaviour was not always so restricted.

A moment from around 1970. As Secretary of the Constituency Labour Party, I had been a shoo-in as a candidate for the Borough elections. My wife was, after some persuasion, also nominated.

When she came up for selection, she was asked: “If you are elected, what about your two children?”

Sweetly, she turned to the questioner (a woman, as it happens), and responded: “My children have two parents. Did you ask that of my husband?”

Hence she was instantly identified as a women’s libber and bra-burner.

[On election night, in an "unwinnable" ward, she came close enough to be very, very worried.]

On which historical precedent, Tories like those in Gosport should be fit for the modern world about the middle of the 21st century.

On the other hand, the so-called “attractive” Tory candidates seem to be either Mad Nads or lobby-fodder (as Ms Cloying Chloe Smith).

2. Aaron Murin-Heath

Heh. He knows he dropped a bollock, doesn’t he?

I’m sure the attractiveness of a female (and male for that matter) candidate is a consideration for all parties. They just don’t want to talk about it.

Meh. Whatevs. When politics is bust, they’ll vote for the hottie they wouldn’t mind seeing more of.

BTW, this guy? Toast.

3. Chris Baldwin

Heh, a moron, but not really a “top Tory”, is he?

4. Richard

He’s very blunt but I suspect there may be some (unfortunate) truth behind his logic. These days being photogenic certainly helps.

And frankly we could do with more lookers in Parliament ;)

5. Denim Justice

He’s not exactly a looker himself is he? A horribly ugly face.

The worst thing is that he drops himself in it twice, first then again after he’s realised he’s done it.

I thought Chloe Smith was attractive until someone pointed out she looks like Ruth Kelly.

Anyone who’s met a straight woman knows that the women in most constituencies wouldn’t say no to an attractive, strapping young lad like that doctor fellow. So it’s not just men who make these sorts of remarks.

6. redpesto

Anyone who’s met a straight woman knows that the women in most constituencies wouldn’t say no to an attractive, strapping young lad like that doctor fellow. So it’s not just men who make these sorts of remarks.

From William Pitt to Brad Pitt? What about the issues?!

7. Malcolm Redfellow

redpesto

As the rubric to this comment box makes clear, misogyny is an issue.

8. redpesto

Fair enough


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
  1. Splintered Sunrise

    RT @libcon: Top Tory: I would only select fit women http://bit.ly/UVYgB < @HarpyMarx, this is one for your scalpel!

  2. sophyridge

    Just when Cameron thinks its going ok,another barmy Tory messes it up RT@libcon Tory: I’d only select fit women 4 seat http://bit.ly/UVYgB

  3. Andy_Francis

    Wallies RT@sophyridge Just when Cameron thinks its going ok RT@libcon Tory: I’d only select fit women 4 seat http://bit.ly/UVYgB

  4. David Wooding

    He should sign up A-level students from today’s papers! RT @sophyridge: @libcon Tory: I’d only select fit women 4 seat http://bit.ly/UVYgB

  5. sunny hundal

    Video of Tory who said he wanted an attractive woman candidate now here: http://is.gd/2skEP – excellent scoop by @cathynewman

  6. Rachel Johnson

    RT@pickledpolitics Video of Tory who said he only wanted an attractive woman candidate: http://is.gd/2skEP – excellent scoop by @cathynewman

  7. Katherine Bavage

    RT @pickledpolitics – Video of Tory who said he wanted an attractive woman candidate now here: http://is.gd/2skEP – #moretorydisarray

  8. Katherine Bavage

    RT @libcon Liberal Conspiracy » Top Tory: I would only select fit women http://bit.ly/k8zNz #blueblunders

  9. Chie Elliott

    RT @pickledpolitics: Video of Tory who said he wanted an attractive woman candidate: http://is.gd/2skEP – excellent scoop by @cathynewman

  10. Splintered Sunrise

    RT @libcon: Top Tory: I would only select fit women http://bit.ly/UVYgB < @HarpyMarx, this is one for your scalpel!

    [Original tweet]

  11. sophyridge

    Just when Cameron thinks its going ok,another barmy Tory messes it up RT@libcon Tory: I’d only select fit women 4 seat http://bit.ly/UVYgB

    [Original tweet]

  12. Andy_Francis

    Wallies RT@sophyridge Just when Cameron thinks its going ok RT@libcon Tory: I’d only select fit women 4 seat http://bit.ly/UVYgB

    [Original tweet]

  13. David Wooding

    He should sign up A-level students from today’s papers! RT @sophyridge: @libcon Tory: I’d only select fit women 4 seat http://bit.ly/UVYgB

    [Original tweet]

  14. sunny hundal

    Video of Tory who said he wanted an attractive woman candidate now here: http://is.gd/2skEP – excellent scoop by @cathynewman

    [Original tweet]

  15. Rachel Johnson

    RT@pickledpolitics Video of Tory who said he only wanted an attractive woman candidate: http://is.gd/2skEP – excellent scoop by @cathynewman

    [Original tweet]

  16. Katherine Bavage

    RT @pickledpolitics – Video of Tory who said he wanted an attractive woman candidate now here: http://is.gd/2skEP – #moretorydisarray

    [Original tweet]

  17. Katherine Bavage

    RT @libcon Liberal Conspiracy » Top Tory: I would only select fit women http://bit.ly/k8zNz #blueblunders

    [Original tweet]

  18. Chie Elliott

    RT @pickledpolitics: Video of Tory who said he wanted an attractive woman candidate: http://is.gd/2skEP – excellent scoop by @cathynewman

    [Original tweet]

  19. Fabienne

    @MichaelCox @JamesTart Tories are only picking attractive women anyway, so sayeth ‘Top’ Tory: http://bit.ly/b4Wsx

    [Original tweet]





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