The belated and unlamented departure of Maria Miller means that we have a new Minister for Women and Equalities. Step forward Nicky Morgan who combines her “wimmin” brief with a proper job at the Treasury.
But barely has Ms Morgan placed her photo-frames on her desk than she finds herself under heavy fire. No, she hasn’t built a property empire on the strength of parliamentary expenses. Far worse.
She voted against gay marriage and for independent abortion counselling. Shocking from a Conservative MP. Who would have thought it?
The Times are happy to report that Peter Tatchell, the gay rights campaigner, said that Ms Morgan’s appointment “sends the wrong signal”, while other critics (not named, very conveniently) dubbed her the “minister for straight women”.
The Times continues “that Downing Street was left floundering in the face of questions about who would represent lesbians in light of the separation of the brief between the two.” How indeed?
Here is an idea – why don’t we abolish the whole wretched brief of wimmin and equalities? Instead of splitting society and people into atomised little islands based on their sexuality or gender why don’t we just recognise that they are people and their interests are probably best represented elsewhere.
This labeling based on such features is odious, and in many ways dehumanising.
As a quick sidebar, we are getting a good look at the post-same sex marriage settlement that is to be imposed on any who dared to dissent. In the US, it has been a brutal and ruthless crackdown, and we are beginning to see the same crackdown here.
Is any MP who voted against gay marriage to be refused promotion? And don’t bother telling me equalities is specific as lesbian interests are focused there, as I hasten to add their interests – like the interests of every other citizen are represented in all departments.
But here is the rub, the legislation is passed and in force, and Nicky Morgan, as a servant to Her Majesty’s Government, can be expected to abide by it as otherwise she would be acting unlawfully.
To imply she would do otherwise is a serious allegation made without evidence or foundation. But that is the thing about crackdowns – one never needs evidence. Just ruthlessness.
But back to the wretched equality and wimmin brief. The interests of women- including lesbians – are elsewhere, and not in this silly brief there to please the equality and diversity police.
If you are a single woman without a child then health, education, employment and perhaps housing are your key interests.
They are not in the wimmin brief. If you are mother your priorities are especially in health (maternity and child health) and education. And if you are a full time mother, or a working mother or somewhere in between, your interests lie with the Treasury and employment.
So what exactly does the wimmin’s Minister do? She might appease in the equality and diversity brigade but that is about it. Abolish it now.
