Calm down, dear! Michael Winner weighs in on sexism row

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/poli...ot-sexist.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...down-PMQs.html

Michael Winner: David Cameron's PMQs comments were not sexist

Michael Winner has described Harriet Harman and the Labour party as “politically correct lunatics” for calling David Cameron sexist following remarks made during Prime Minister’s Questions.

Mr Cameron borrowed the phrase “Calm down dear”, popularised by Mr Winner in a series of car insurance adverts, when addressing Treasury minister Angela Eagle as she heckled him on the floor of the Commons. Deputy leader Harriet Harman alleged that Mr Cameron’s “contemptuous response...shows his patronising and outdated attitude to women”.

Michael Winner

But speaking from the south of France Mr Winner, a film director, writer and producer, told the Daily Telegraph: “It’s ridiculous that people should talk about this seriously. It’s a comedy phrase that I wrote about ten years ago. “What planet is Harriet Harman on if she thinks this is demeaning women and defiling the nation?” He called on Labour to “get a sense of humour” adding: “There’s a enough gloom in the world."

Mr Winner said: “I’m quite flattered he used the phrase but then everyone uses it. There’s nothing remotely sexist about it. To call someone "dear" is not sexist unless to totally politically correct lunatics. There’s a lot of things defiling women, such as prostitution, domestic violence. Harriet Harman should deal with them first.” Cameron has in fact used the phrase “Calm down dear” at PMQs before - to a man. He said it to David Miliband over the Despatch Box in December 2007 when the then Foreign Secretary tried to suggest he did not understand the finer points of foreign policy.

Mr Cameron's comment came as he defended his Government's plans to reform the NHS, which he said were even backed by former Labour MP Howard Stoate, a practising GP. Ms Eagle, seated on the Labour front benches, loudly retorted that Dr Stoate had stood down at last year's election, rather than being defeated as the PM claimed. The Prime Minister told the Wallasey MP: “Calm down, dear, calm down. Calm down and listen to the doctor."

I'm not David Cameron's biggest fan, far from it - but what this shows to me is how worthless any 'opposition' in our parliament now is. Vast issues from the surrender of our sovereignty to the EU, our tax system, the welfare state and the war in Afghanistan are not discussed or even disagreed upon so it ends up revolving around ridiculous scandal like this. Now as for the comment itself, not at all sexist (and sexism is rational anyway) no matter what the marxoid Harriet Harperson says otherwise.

On the 6th May remember this; this is the best opposition to this government that the Labour Party can muster.

Thoughts, comments by the PM sexist or not?

[Hecktix]

Harriet Harman is hardly representative of the entire Labour Party, Dan. I'm not a fan of Harman at all, I always find that she is very quick to attack people for things such as this (which is in no way sexist, patronising yes, sexist no) when she was the one who (albeit quite funny) called someone a "ginger rodent" in PMQs.

In terms of the topic they were discussing in PMQs today, I still can't honestly believe the tories are still trying to push through NHS reforms even though the majority of frontline NHS staff in hospitals oppose it, even GPs.

[GommeInc]

Isn't that phrase used ALL the time, for both sexes? I don't think he meant it in a sexist way - it came off as patronising, yes, but not sexist.

Harriet Harman is hardly representative of the entire Labour Party, Dan. I'm not a fan of Harman at all, I always find that she is very quick to attack people for things such as this (which is in no way sexist, patronising yes, sexist no) when she was the one who (albeit quite funny) called someone a "ginger rodent" in PMQs.

Beat me to it, Dr. Tix

[-:Undertaker:-]

Harriet Harman is hardly representative of the entire Labour Party, Dan. I'm not a fan of Harman at all, I always find that she is very quick to attack people for things such as this (which is in no way sexist, patronising yes, sexist no) when she was the one who (albeit quite funny) called someone a "ginger rodent" in PMQs.

Harman represents a government which pushed through many 'equality' laws, which the present government continues to do.

Pot. Kettle. Black.

In terms of the topic they were discussing in PMQs today, I still can't honestly believe the tories are still trying to push through NHS reforms even though the majority of frontline NHS staff in hospitals oppose it, even GPs.

The same happened under Labour a few years back, remember with Patricia Hewitt being heckled?

..and thats not to mention the PFI schemes Mr Brown set up in regards to the NHS, which will cost us an arm and a leg for many more years to come.

[Misawa]

Patronising? Yes, but politicians are like that to each other in the House all the time. Sexist? Give me a damn break.

[Catzsy]

I agree very patronising but not sexist. Cameron has a very unfortunate way about him when he is challenged - the normal mask slips.

[Jordy]

Cameron has every right to be patronising whilst being interrupted in PMQs, that applies to anyone speaking in the House of Commons. I don't think it's unfortunate at all, he's simply got a much better way of dealing with arguments and debating in the House of Commons than most people. You can see that how each week he brushes aside Ed Miliband (and before that, Gordon Brown). Tony Blair did much the same to his various Conservative opponents.

This sexist argument thing is a complete joke, much like Harriet Harman I guess.

[Catzsy]

Cameron has every right to be patronising whilst being interrupted in PMQs, that applies to anyone speaking in the House of Commons. I don't think it's unfortunate at all, he's simply got a much better way of dealing with arguments and debating in the House of Commons than most people. You can see that how each week he brushes aside Ed Miliband (and before that, Gordon Brown). Tony Blair did much the same to his various Conservative opponents.


This sexist argument thing is a complete joke, much like Harriet Harman I guess.

Agree to disagree. I have seen him throw his 'toys out of the pram' quite often and be very rude to MP's even when answering their PMQ questions. I would challenge you to find one headline about Tony Blair being patronising to anybody. Also I agree that Ed Milliband should be less of a gentleman with him but I am sure that wil come. Horses for courses I guess.

[Inseriousity.]

Not sexist no but it is typical of politicians from all politicial parties to attack the person rather than defend the issue. I mean the fact that the Labour party also jumped onto this small comment rather than the issue is proof that it happens on both sides.

Despite that, I'd rather see more personality injected into politics but it's all about finding a balance between debating the issues that they have been elected to discuss properly and not turning into a robot.

[ifuseekamy]

They've always been childish, it's like a classroom attempting to debate. Not called showbiz for ugly people for nothing.