Read more: Will there be a 2nd EU referendum?
There have been many complaints, over the last few days, that the EU referendum debate has degenerated into a boys' “playground spat”. Those particular words were used by Angela Eagle, the shadow business secretary. Analysis by researchers at the University of Loughborough revealed that, of the politicians speaking out about this issue, men have so far accounted for 84 per cent of TV coverage and 91 per cent of press coverage. “Women's voices have been drowned out,” warned Eagle.
She's right, of course, especially when there are high-profile female politicians such as Nicola Sturgeon (who should have a prominent role to play in this debate) and Theresa May who have been vocal about the referendum. It's not, however, specific to this campaign. The fact is that many political debates are still dominated by men—hardly surprising, given that 70 per cent of Westminster politicians are men, and almost all the party leaders. You need only watch one session of Prime Minister's Questions to learn how quickly political discussion can descend into masculine posturing.
Away from politcians, media debates—especially in traditionally male domains such as politics and economics—aren't often lauded for their high degree of representation, either. Research published last week by City University London showed that between October 2015 and March 2016, male experts outnumbered female experts on flagship UK news shows by about three to one—confirming similar findings from previous studies that news and comment is dominated by men.
That's not to say that this particular instance of female-sidelining is not worth shouting about. We should always point out these problems where we see them; and the increased pressure that's been put on broadcasters about this in recent times seems to be paying off.
But we also need to be clearer about why we want women's voices to be represented. Much of the concern has been that women's issues will be pushed out of a debate where only men are speaking. Eagle and Harriet Harman both talked about the protections the EU has offered for women in the workplace and other issues affecting women's rights. Meanwhile Sturgeon, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood and Green MP Caroline Lucas held a joint press conference emphasizing the role the EU has played in securing parental rights, and protecting against harassment and discrimination. And it is important to raise these issues. If women are excluded from the debate, or their voices can't be heard or are ignored, any particular impact that a Brexit may have on women is likely to be overlooked.
It doesn't stop there, though. The value of women's representation is about more than simply making sure so-called “women's issues” are addressed. Too often, that seems to be how it's handled—women are pushed into the “women's issues” box. I once met a professor of philosophy who was required to teach the university's feminism course, though she had no background in the subject, on the grounds that she was the faculty's only female member of staff. Female journalists comment extensively on feminism, “lifestyle” and other issues apparently relevant to women, but the politics desks are still dominated by men. And in campaigns and debates, otherwise well-qualified female politicians may find themselves designated as “women's issues” spokespeople—as when Labour packed off its female politicians in a pink van to speak at kitchen tables and schoolgates around the country.
But here's the thing: women can bring more to a debate than just the women's issues. That's partly because discussions on most subjects are richer and better when we include people with differing perspectives. People who have had different experiences also come with different ideas, priorities, insights and ways of thinking. Sex, of course, is not the sole nor necessarily the most important determiner of experience, but it certainly makes a difference.
Diversity is also important because it means that there are greater pools of talent, intellect and knowledge to draw from—the middle-aged white guy in a suit isn't necessarily the smartest, best informed or most talented communicator in the room; and it might just be that the woman has thought of something that the men haven't. The more we diversify the debate, the better a debate we'll have.
And if that argument doesn't sway you, well, there's also the fact that we're now well into the 21st century and it's nothing less than embarrassing for men to still be doing all the talking.
There have been many complaints, over the last few days, that the EU referendum debate has degenerated into a boys' “playground spat”. Those particular words were used by Angela Eagle, the shadow business secretary. Analysis by researchers at the University of Loughborough revealed that, of the politicians speaking out about this issue, men have so far accounted for 84 per cent of TV coverage and 91 per cent of press coverage. “Women's voices have been drowned out,” warned Eagle.
She's right, of course, especially when there are high-profile female politicians such as Nicola Sturgeon (who should have a prominent role to play in this debate) and Theresa May who have been vocal about the referendum. It's not, however, specific to this campaign. The fact is that many political debates are still dominated by men—hardly surprising, given that 70 per cent of Westminster politicians are men, and almost all the party leaders. You need only watch one session of Prime Minister's Questions to learn how quickly political discussion can descend into masculine posturing.
Away from politcians, media debates—especially in traditionally male domains such as politics and economics—aren't often lauded for their high degree of representation, either. Research published last week by City University London showed that between October 2015 and March 2016, male experts outnumbered female experts on flagship UK news shows by about three to one—confirming similar findings from previous studies that news and comment is dominated by men.
That's not to say that this particular instance of female-sidelining is not worth shouting about. We should always point out these problems where we see them; and the increased pressure that's been put on broadcasters about this in recent times seems to be paying off.
But we also need to be clearer about why we want women's voices to be represented. Much of the concern has been that women's issues will be pushed out of a debate where only men are speaking. Eagle and Harriet Harman both talked about the protections the EU has offered for women in the workplace and other issues affecting women's rights. Meanwhile Sturgeon, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood and Green MP Caroline Lucas held a joint press conference emphasizing the role the EU has played in securing parental rights, and protecting against harassment and discrimination. And it is important to raise these issues. If women are excluded from the debate, or their voices can't be heard or are ignored, any particular impact that a Brexit may have on women is likely to be overlooked.
It doesn't stop there, though. The value of women's representation is about more than simply making sure so-called “women's issues” are addressed. Too often, that seems to be how it's handled—women are pushed into the “women's issues” box. I once met a professor of philosophy who was required to teach the university's feminism course, though she had no background in the subject, on the grounds that she was the faculty's only female member of staff. Female journalists comment extensively on feminism, “lifestyle” and other issues apparently relevant to women, but the politics desks are still dominated by men. And in campaigns and debates, otherwise well-qualified female politicians may find themselves designated as “women's issues” spokespeople—as when Labour packed off its female politicians in a pink van to speak at kitchen tables and schoolgates around the country.
But here's the thing: women can bring more to a debate than just the women's issues. That's partly because discussions on most subjects are richer and better when we include people with differing perspectives. People who have had different experiences also come with different ideas, priorities, insights and ways of thinking. Sex, of course, is not the sole nor necessarily the most important determiner of experience, but it certainly makes a difference.
Diversity is also important because it means that there are greater pools of talent, intellect and knowledge to draw from—the middle-aged white guy in a suit isn't necessarily the smartest, best informed or most talented communicator in the room; and it might just be that the woman has thought of something that the men haven't. The more we diversify the debate, the better a debate we'll have.
And if that argument doesn't sway you, well, there's also the fact that we're now well into the 21st century and it's nothing less than embarrassing for men to still be doing all the talking.
