(no subject)

[anitabuchan]

So. David Cameron is now Prime Minister, and the next five years (although I pray it won't last that long) are looking increasingly depressing.

One thing I do have to comment on is Theresa May as Home Secretary. She'll also be Minister for Women and Equality in her spare time, because obviously being the Minister for Women and Equality isn't a big or important job at all.

Her voting record on equality issues? She voted for reducing the abortion limit, against repealing Section 28, against allowing gay couples to adopt, against allowing lesbians IVF, and against equalising the age of consent.

Also in the cabinet in Iain Duncan Smith (Work and Pensions), who believes marriage is the cure to poverty; George Osbourne (Chancellor), a multi-millionaire who likes the idea of a flat tax rate and once attempted to insult Gordon Brown by calling him 'autistic'; Andrew Lansley (Health), who seems to believe that obesity is infectious; and Liam Fox (Defence), an enthusiastic supporter of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq who also wants to reduce the abortion limit to 12 weeks and supports 'traditional families'.

Doesn't the future sound fun?

Another interesting fact: 54% of Tory MPs and 40% of Lib Dem MPs attended a feepaying school (compared to 15% of Labour).

ETA: The Guardian has pointed out that two years ago, Cameron pledged to give a third of jobs in his first cabinet to women. But in the actual event, only 4 of his 23-strong cabinet are women, and one of those is the unelected Minister with Portfolio, Warsi. She's also (I think) the only non-white member of cabinet.

Comments

[booksbagsshoes.livejournal.com]

I don't think the coalition will last the full five years, although it may surprise me; I'm thinking it'll take a year but not much more. I did see a commentary today that suggested Cameron agreeing to legislate fixed 5 year terms might upset his party, as many might have hoped he'd give it a few months then call a snap election to attempt to ditch the Lib Dems and take full power.

I think the general mood in Scotland can be summed up in the joke that was going around my office first thing this morning -

Unbelievable. Tories in power for less than half an hour and already a Scottish family is unemployed and homeless.

In other news, I enjoyed this article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8622933.stm) about Eton and in particular, this line: "It is a sign, Dr Spence believes, that the Etonian label is no longer a handicap."

I'm so pleased those rich, privileged young people no longer feel handicapped...if anyone deserves it...

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

The 55% thing is interesting, although apparently there are already rumours that backbenchers from both parties might rebel over it. It does seem a little self-serving of the Tories (setting the threshold just above what opposition parties could manage!), but it would be one way to help a government last a little longer.

I heard a version of that earlier today :D.

Ugh. Can we start the revolution yet?

[plu178.livejournal.com]

¬¬ Did not want the Tories coming in.

Her voting record on equality issues? She voted for reducing the abortion limit, against repealing Section 28, against allowing gay couples to adopt, against allowing lesbians IVF, and against equalising the age of consent. What?! Ok...I'm hoping the Lib Dems will balance things out a bit.

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

Me neither, as you may have guessed :).

I'm hoping too, but I'm increasingly doubtful. The Lib Dems have a good record on gay rights but I don't know how strongly they actually care...and they are outnumbered by the Tories.