
By Madeline Sidgwick — Editor-in-Chief
British politics has undeniably diversified in the last 50 years, especially from a gender perspective. However, as women enter parliament, more specifically entering a ministerial role, we must consider why it is gender that gets pointed out first.
Headlines of ‘The First Female Chancellor’ were splashed onto the front pages of newspapers as Rachel Reeves delivered the first Labour Budget in 14 years. Now I am not aiming to remove from Reeves’ achievements in becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer, but it must be questioned why it was her gender rather than her policies that were the opening lines in most articles this October. Reeves herself eloquently paid homage to being the first women to have the role stating, “to girls and young women everywhere (…) let there be no ceiling on your ambition, your hopes and your dreams”. However, in 2024 why is gender still significant and having to be stated especially since Britain elected its first female Prime Minister in 1979? Thatcher herself defended her gender throughout her time in office and perfectly summarises her defences when in 1987 stating, “if you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman”. It seems that it is almost a shame not to address such an achievement as a woman, but that is my point. The phrase ‘as a woman’ immediately places women in boxes and almost puts them in a separate political discourse and label mediums due to their gender.
This example can be extended to the newly elected leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch. Badenoch has placed great emphasis on the fact that she does not want to be defined by her gender and race through her time as Leader of the Opposition. The question thus stands, when do we stop counting the ‘fourth, fifth, sixth’ female leaders of political parties?
The media is the most powerful medium of perpetuating gender stereotypes. The presentation of female politicians as women first and politicians second, reinforces the idea that higher political office is a male space. When dominating the media, such biases ensure that women can never be viewed as a political figure in a standalone sense. The media, as a source of entertainment, leaves female politicians vulnerable to criticism. But it must be noted that such criticisms rarely focus on their policy or political speeches, it is how women in political spaces dress and perform in comparison to their male counterparts that dominates popular rhetoric. It is a fact that women face more scrutiny online, whether this by media outlets or adventitious ‘X’ users. Scrutiny very quickly turns into violence and harassment, especially via social media platforms, becomes less and less censored. Thus, proving that women face glass ceilings in a less traditional sense as online abuse and commentary disproportionately targets women, specifically women of colour.
I think it is important to emphasise that just because you are told that the glass ceiling doesn’t exist in 2024 doesn’t mean that it has actually disappeared. Therefore, yes being a woman in male dominated space is impressive and important but not because you are a woman. Rachel Reeves attended a comprehensive school and was appointed Shadow Chancellor 11 years after being elected as a member of parliament. Reeves’ background, both personal and in terms of her career, make her, on paper, the ideal candidate for such an important role in British politics.
Whether you agree that stating gender in relation to political positions is reductive or not, be rest assured that, regardless of her gender, Rachel Reeves is saving you a penny off of every single pint that you enjoy at the pub.
Image: Harry Shum via Pexels