This post probably needed more work, but I am sick of looking at it.
This is Heidi Alexander, Secretary for Transport in England. At the launch of unveiling a livery for trains taken back into public ownership after years of private operation has been proven to be a failure, she was at Brighton Railway Station to launch the new livery of Great British Railways.
If you are in the US, Canada or Australia, this is not how a woman in public office would appear in public. That's perhaps so for most countries.
Politicians and spokespersons need to be super groomed, with tailored clothing, good hair and good makeup, men and women both. It's not that Alexander can't glam up if she wants.
Heidi was none of those at the media occasion. She is a good speaker, clearly passionate about her role and spoke sensibly. In the US #47's leading women, past and present are super groomed but frankly talk a lot of crap, spitting out lie after lie. Yes, Leavitt, Bondi, along with dog killer Noem.
I care more about the spoken honesty from Alexander rather than how she is dressed or made up.
Later edit: Just as the press do, I used an incorrect photo for Ms Alexander. I have removed the photo and replaced it with a correct photo. Thank you YP for pointing out the error.
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I think I would agree with you there. A knowledgeable "normal" looking female is preferable to a Barbie doll spouting inane and incorrect rubbish when it comes to running a country.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. While I think a certain dress standard is needed, it doesn't need to be overboard, and if someone chooses to not wear make-up, so be it.
Delete"A Barbie doll spouting inane and incorrect rubbish" -- you mean Kristi Noem? :)
DeleteTesting our patience, Andrew,..
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteI need to take photos in the daylight and the car has gone awol for the last two days. Maybe Thursday.
DeleteBeing glammed up is a false premise for being in a leadership role . Intelligence , clear thinking , understanding and compassion are more important
ReplyDeleteToo right.
DeleteI agree that looks are far less important than actions.
ReplyDeleteDarla, it may come the day that super groomed politicians have less credibility. Maybe it has already.
DeleteThe Mar-A-Lago faces are a nightmare to me. The self destruct button on these women (who don't last long and are interchangeable) make me want to weep. Good to see normal every day women with brains). I offer you Catherine Connolly, president of Ireland.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
As were are flooded by news from you know where, I never heard about Catherine Connolly. A good choice, I'm sure. Mind, looking at the list of previous, I don't remember the last two either. Everybody seemed to know Mary Robinson.
DeleteThe second picture is of Louise Haigh, the previous Transport Secretary and a Sheffield MP. I like Heidi Alexander. She speaks truthfully and intelligently and is clearly passionate about her government role.
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearing it up. The post didn't really make sense with that totally different looking person.
DeleteIncidentally, if you look at the blokes in the background in the first picture, I'd say Heidi is wearing presenting consistently with them in casual garb.
The issue of hair and make-up is more unforgiving for women than for men. Especially as they get older. I had a big crush on Laura Tingle when she was on 7.30 or working in Canberra, but I've had to adjust now she's a foreign correspondent and not working out of a studio where (I'm now realising) a hair and makeup person was not far away.
YP, thanks and post edited.
DeleteMC, she has difficult hair. I didn't know Tingle was the daughter of John Tingle, who I vaguely remember. Her Wiki personal life is a bit interesting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Tingle
DeleteBut why do we focus more on female presentation than male? Because all males have to do is comb their hair and wear a decent suit.
At first I thought you were criticizing her appearance. I'm glad I was wrong.
ReplyDeleteKirk, I think you would know that is out of character for me, but I can see how you might think that. Heidi still look nice, but not in the classic, dare I say it, super groomed manner.
DeleteI love it when women achieve success and political power. But then I think of names like Thatcher, Hanson, Le Pen and Coulter, and have to acknowledge that not all women are as intelligent and learned as I hoped.
ReplyDeleteHels, I don't know Coulter. You may be interested to check out #47's White House Chief of Staff. Ah yes, I checked and I know who Coulter is.
DeleteI have always thought the focus on how the women look is misplaced. If they are neat and clean and capable in the job, that's good enough for me.
ReplyDeleteSame here, River.
DeleteBefore I moved Heidi Alexander was my MP. You absolutely right in your assessment.
ReplyDeleteHow cool, Fun60. I'm glad my instincts are confirmed by you.
DeleteCompetence doesnt rely on presentation but I still vaguely expect a woman in the public eye to be polished. It's hypocritical of me because there's no way I would be
ReplyDeleteKylie, day to day, neat and tidy is enough for me.
DeleteGood to have knowledge and be yourself.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree Margaret.
DeleteI mistrust plasticised women and men.
ReplyDeleteJB, that is kind of what they are, both men and women.
DeleteMore important than how Heidi looks, at least to me, is the eyesore that is the new livery for the recently nationalised railway. The Department for Transport proudly announced a few weeks ago, that it had been designed in-house and it looks it, probably by a commitee. When one considers how many billions have been wasted on HS2, surely it would have been possible to find a few bob down the back of the sofa to have it done professionally.
ReplyDeleteI found the new livery disappointingly bland and lacked any kind of sleekness. I think Lumo and LNER Azuma liveries are quite ok. From afar, it seems HS2 has been so badly managed, not helped by unhelpful political interference.
DeleteLivery? Please explain with pictures.
DeleteIt is just the exterior appearance of the train. What colours are used and how they are used. Here is photo of your suburban trains' livery. https://blueskydesigngroup.com.au/portfolio/edi-rail-adelaide/
DeleteLooks like someone who was hired, promoted, based on her ability to get the job done. Reliable on time passenger rail service is essential to the UK, they need the best people to do the job, not someone who was hired based on their looks.
ReplyDeleteTP, she is a politician but very competent in her role.
DeleteGlamorous political females spend more time on their looks rather than then their proper jobs. You could almost say the same of the trains, looking for pretty paintwork, it is whether they appear on time and actually run without breaking down ;)
ReplyDeleteRight on point Thelma. As for trains, they do need to look smart for many people to have an appreciation and respect for them, but that only goes so far, as you say. They do have to run well.
DeleteI'd take Heidi any day, and weep with joy, over the aforementioned super-groomed crew.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra.
DeleteWomen are always harshly judged, Andrew.
ReplyDeletePat, they always have been. It is changing but ever so slowly.
DeleteI think she looks fine. Why do we expect glamour from female politicians but not from the men? I'm glad you explained "livery" above.
ReplyDelete(I'm agreeing with you, not disputing you, in case that's not clear!)
DeleteSteve, I think we are even seeing male politicians being dragged into glamour light, but it is still a lot easier for men.
DeleteI always look at the person and their capabilities rather than if it is a man or woman, because you have good and bad in both sexes, as well as in every race, etc.
ReplyDeleteLinda, ideally that is how we all should judge, but as I am sure you know, it is much less than it should be.
Delete