Lucas's proposal drew criticism from across the political spectrum.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas called on Sunday for a government of women to enable a referendum on Brexit.
Writing in the Guardian, she said that women “have shown they can bring a different perspective to crises, are able to reach out to those they disagree with and cooperate to find solutions”.
The women she invited to join her in this proposed cabinet are Heidi Allen and Anna Soubry, the SNP’s Kirsty Blackman and Nicola Sturgeon, Labour’s Yvette Cooper and Emily Thornberry, Conservative Justine Greening, Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts and independent Sylvia Hermon.
The proposal seems to have drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Here are five arguments from the Left and Centre against the idea.
- Gender has little to do with Brexit.
Like almost everything, Brexit will affect men and women differently. But the link between the two things isn’t clear or particularly strong.
The idea that women are naturally better at co-operation also drew criticism.
2. The women she names are all white
When questioned on this by Victoria Derbyshire, Lucas said that them all being white was “a real concern” but she chose them because they are leaders or deputy leaders of their parties.
It’s true that the leading women in the Liberal Democrats, SNP, Plaid Cymru and the TIG/Change UK parties are all white, as they are in the Greens. Lucas is right to say that is a problem.
However, she has chosen to name Yvette Cooper – who is not a leader, deputy leader or even a frontbencher.
She could have chosen Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, who is of the same seniority as Emily Thornberry, who she did choose.
She could have also chosen Labour frontbench women of colour like Dawn Butler or Shami Chakribati. Or any of a number of pro-Remain backbenchers like Chi Onwurah who has campaigned with the ‘Love Socialism, Hate Brexit’ group.
3. Yvette Cooper is not pro-second referendum
While she’s been leading the fight against a no-deal Brexit, she hasn’t said she supports a second referendum – making her inclusion all the more open to criticism.
4. It’s not politically possible
Without at least a handful of Tory or DUP MPs supporting it, this ‘cabinet’ would not be able to win a confidence vote.
The sole Conservative included in the scheme is Justine Greening and winning her support for the idea, let alone that of any of her colleagues, will be difficult.
5. It won’t be seen as legitimate
The public will see a change of government without a general election as illegitimate.
You can (and I would) argue that a change of prime minister without a general election is also illegitimate but: a) two wrongs don’t make a right and b) changing governing parties needs more of a mandate than changing PM in one party.
If we want to change the government, it’s simple – we need a general election. All the signs are that we are about to get one so, other than generating publicity, the reason for this intervention is unclear.
Joe Lo is a reporter for Left Foot Forward
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15 Responses to “Five problems with Caroline Lucas’s ‘cabinet of women’ idea”
Jon Beedell
I’m with Marian Skeen on this. Just feckin get on with demolishing the effin bastards. Don’t care how it’s done or by whom. At least Lucas is making some radical proposals while the rest of them sit on their hands or prevaricate.
Jon Beedell
Joe Lo. Got any better ideas ? That could actually work ??
Simon Gee
I agree that it was a PR stunt. It was hardest to believe that CL, who I’d assumed was progressive (in the sense of really wanting a better world somehow), could produce something so hastily and ignorantly cobbled-together. It’s like Ed Miliband and the Great Tablet of Doom. What was she thinking??
Alison Bancroft
As a woman (yes really!) I’m disgusted that she appears to be making sexist assumptions about men. PR stunt or not it’s insensitive and more than a tad silly to boot.
Why we lost – History Briefing
[…] two other less important ‘lists’ as well. Caroline Lucas the Green Party MP suggested a unity cabinet of women and wrote to many senior politicians across other political parties asking them to join. She […]