What’s Austin Mitchell’s problem with women? The retiring Grimsby MP argued in the Mail on Sunday that “most selections are now on the all-women basis, even where hairy-arsed local politicians might suggest that it’s better to choose a man”, and claimed the exceptions are for “Red Princes” in “seats wanted for the scions of our great dynasties, the Kinnocks, the Straws, the Benns, the Blairs”.
Perhaps Mitchell is upset that his own “Red Princess” was thwarted in her parliamentary ambitions. Daughter Susan, a BBC journalist, pulled out of the race to replace Tessa Jowell in Dulwich and West Norwood after the Beeb reminded her of its rules on impartiality. At least we assume it was that, rather than her dad’s macho ideals, that persuaded her to step aside.
Maybe Mitchell’s target was Melanie Onn. The former Labour staffer is just the sort of female candidate the old-school MP has railed against. Where was she selected? In his seat of Grimsby. No hard feelings, eh, Austin?
