Labour's Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell has delivered a blistering rebuke to Conservative MPs after facing what she called 'deeply sexist' claims that she was promoted to her frontbench role because she is a woman.
The fiery exchange erupted in the House of Commons during a session on media freedom, where Powell confronted the demeaning commentary head-on. She revealed that several Tory MPs had openly suggested her appointment was a 'box-ticking exercise' rather than a recognition of her capability and experience.
'These comments are not just wrong, they are deeply sexist and demeaning,' Powell stated emphatically from the despatch box, directing her remarks towards the government benches. She challenged the Culture Secretary to denounce such attitudes within his own party.
The Manchester MP, who has held her seat since 2012 and served in various shadow cabinet roles, pointed to her extensive track record. 'I have been in this house for 12 years, in the shadow cabinet for eight of those years, and I have held numerous positions,' she declared, highlighting the absurdity of the claims against her qualifications.
The incident has sparked fresh concerns about the culture within Parliament and the persistent gender bias female politicians continue to face. Powell's very public calling-out of the behaviour signals a growing intolerance for casual sexism in political circles.
This is not the first time Powell has confronted gender-based criticism, having previously addressed the disproportionate online abuse faced by women in public life. Her latest stand has been met with support from colleagues across the political spectrum who agree that such outdated attitudes have no place in modern politics.
