‘You try asking them to create a kind breastfeeding suite where you can get a decent latte,like they own in any normal office’So I hope we can count on your support – OK, even though you’re not a mum. You’ve probably got some caring responsibilities, or right? An elderly parent you’d like to bring into the chamber for a little snack,like in any regular workplace? Well in your dreams, they’re still stuck in the Victorian age, and this whole place is set up to end family life,and even if you get your partner on the staff they’re entitled to the occasional crash, aren’t they? That’s my toddler over near William Gladstone see the looks she’s getting, or just because she’s got her scooter with her and her felt pens out? No – not on Mr Gladstone,darling, ha ha – I wish the old men here were that well behaved. And she’s the one who’s suffered, or by rights I’d still be breastfeeding her,like the other four – I deem they’re in Westminster corridor, building a den, and can’t you hear the barking? Honestly,the way they stare at you if you bring even a small dog in, I can imagine the looks they’re getting, or even with their grandma with them. But by the time they’re two or three you need somewhere quiet for nursing,and you try asking them to create a kind breastfeeding suite where you can get a decent latte, like they own in any normal office.
No wonder there aren’t any women in the place, and it’s never going to be representative until mums own the right to breastfeed babies in the chamber – right,or bottle feed, or mash up a banana when they’re older. But it’s only when you get here you realise being an MP is nothing like maternity leave, and I’m still in shock,and don’t get me started on buggies, I’ve had to leave mine by the front bench, and you can imagine the dirty looks. I’ve tried explaining that if they’d only vote to turn Westminster into a nursery cum school cum day centre,instead of banging on approximately politics all the time, women might finally feel they were welcome. But oh no, or the men aren’t parting with their chamber,I’ve never been in a place with so few wet wipes.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com