Today marks 100 years since the first female MP, Nancy Astor, was elected to represent Plymouth Sutton. During a debate on the topic, Ann Widdecombe said she would rather have a “few” female MPs who are “Nancy Astor types”, rather than a “vast quantity who are not”. She told ITV‘s Good Morning Britain: “But if you go into politics you know that you’re not going into a Sunday school tea party.
“You’re going to a place where there will be hostility, you’re going to a place where people will not agree with you. Some people will query your right to be there, all of that.”
GMB presenter Ranvir Singh remarked: “But they’re not talking about your policies they’re talking about your gender aren’t they.
“I think this is the issue isn’t it, it’s not about what you say, it’s simply the presence.”
The Brexit Party MEP for South West England replied: “I’m saying if you’re going into politics you know you’re going into a very controversial and sometimes hostile atmosphere, and you’re ready for that.
READ MORE: Churchill’s brutal put-down for first ever female MP Lady Astor
“I’m going to say, to get it in very quickly, I do not care how many women there are in parliament, all I care about is the quality of those women.
“I’d rather have a few, who are Nancy Astor types, than a vast quantity who are not.”
The comments follow Theresa May unveiling a statue of the first female MP, Ms Astor, who took her seat in the Commons to represent Plymouth Sutton in 1919.
At the Hoe in Plymouth on Thursday, the former Prime Minister unveiled a bronze statue.
In extraordinary scenes, the broadcaster replaced the Conservatives with an ice sculpture of the earth.
Mr Johnson had declined to take part in the show, the first-ever climate crisis election debate, with the Conservative party putting forward the former Environment Secretary in his place.
It is understood that the Labour leader was asked if Mr Gove could take part but he refused.
A ferocious war of words broke out between Channel 4 and the Conservative Party moments before the programme went on air.
A Conservative spokesman said: “We are deeply disappointed that Channel 4 News has conspired with Jeremy Corbyn to block the Conservatives from making the case for tackling climate change and protecting the environment in this evening’s debate. Under this Government, the UK was the first advanced economy in the world to legislate for a net zero target and we’ve reduced emissions faster than any other advanced economy while continuing to grow our economy.
“Broadcasters have important responsibilities to present a balanced debate representing all parties, and Michael Gove was well qualified to represent the Conservative position at this evening’s debate.”
Ben de Pear, the editor of Channel 4 News, said: “These two ice sculptures represent the emergency on planet earth, not in any human form but are a visual metaphor for the Conservative and Brexit parties after their leaders declined our repeated invitations to attend tonight’s vital climate debate.”
