Would-be Tory leader claims mums care more about Britain’s future in a dig at childless rival Theresa May
Mark Aitken Political Editor Tory leadership hopeful Andrea Leadsom was condemned yesterday after suggesting being a mum meant she cared more about the future than rival Theresa May.
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson ridiculed Leadsom’s comment that having children meant she had “a very real stake” in Britain’s future.
Home Secretary May last week spoke about her struggle to have children and, in an interview with the Times yesterday, mum- of-three Leadsom said she had more of a stake in the future because she has children.
The Energy Minister said: “I am sure Theresa will be really sad she doesn’t have children so I don’t want this to be, ‘Andrea has children, Theresa hasn’t’ because I think that would be really horrible but genuinely I feel that being a mum means you have a very real stake in the future of our country, a tangible stake.
“She possibly has nieces, nephews, lots of people, but I have children who are going to have children who will directly be a part of what happens next.”
She also said motherhood means “you are thinking about the issues that other people have – you worry about your kids’ exam results, what direction their careers are taking, what we are going to eat on Sunday”.
Her comments angered senior Tories with Davidson tweeting: “I am childless. I have nieces and nephews. I believe I – like everybody else – have a very real stake in our country.”
Leadsom’s comments plunged her into fresh controversy after her claims her career had given her experience at senior levels in investment banking were questioned by former colleagues.
Her views on gay marriage, which she opposes, have also been criticised since she beat Michael Gove to face May in the run-off to become the next prime minister.
Yesterday, Business Minister Anna Soubry said Leadsom’s comments meant she was “not PM material”.
She said: “She should do us all a favour including herself and step aside. We need a PM with real experience at the highest level, proven competence, a safe pair of hands, a compassionate one nation Tory.”
Tory MP Sir Alan Duncan said: “I’m gay and in a civil partnership. No children but 10 nieces and nephews. Do I not have a stake in the future of the country? Vile.” May yesterday tweeted an invitation to Leadsom to join her in signing a pledge to run a clean campaign.
In a statement outside her home in Northamptonshire, Leadsom said: “Over the course of a lengthy interview I was repeatedly asked about my children and I repeatedly made it clear that I did not want this to be a feature of the campaign. I am disgusted at the
I feel that being a mum means you have a very real stake in the future
way this has been presented. I want to be crystal clear that everyone has an equal stake in our society and the future of our country.
“That is what I believe and it is what I have always believed.
“I have repeated my instructions to my campaign team that this campaign must at all times be principled and honourable.”
Leadsom also said she would block new arrivals from the EU from staying permanently.
Bookies yesterday increased the odds on Leadsom becoming the next Tory leader, with Ladbrokes offering 3-1 compared with 11- 4 on Friday.
Tory MPs say that if Leadsom wins, there would need to be a swift general election because she does not have the support of most MPs.