Judith Woods
Corbyn has to ditch his Jezza-belles
Here come the girls! I’m loving that stirring photograph of Jeremy Corbyn arriving at Labour conference with his coterie of Jezza-belles.
From now on, you see, we must always refer to them as such. Always.
Firstly, because it will annoy them even more than the rank stench of capitalism, and, secondly, it might just persuade them to pause and think before being drafted in again as stooges.
There’s something weird, egotistical and cult-like about seeing a male leader manspreading his gender agenda by parading about with a phalanx of women. I think in this instance their purpose is to ward off the evil eye of moderates, but it makes for a peculiarly regressive image that conjures up memories of Colonel Gadaffi and the Amazonian Guard, his elite cadre of female bodyguards.
Corbyn is obviously seeking to emulate the smiling endorsement once provided by Blair’s Babes and Cameron’s Cuties.
Except those were actual MPs; as far as I can see, there isn’t a single elected member of the House among Corby’s jolly band of Jezza-belles. And with good reason.
Back in July, 45 female Labour MPs wrote an open letter demanding he do more to stop the “disgusting and totally unacceptable abuse” they faced for daring to voice disquiet over his leadership.
Sorry, Jeremy, but surrounding yourself with “Yes women” won’t tackle the deep-rooted misogyny that has so shamefully flourished on your watch.