There Was One Very Noticeable Difference Between The Labour And Tory Frontbenches At PMQs

It wasn't just the "battle of the gingers" in Keir Starmer's absence.
Angela Rayner with Lucy Powell and Rachel Reeves.
Angela Rayner with Lucy Powell and Rachel Reeves.
Parliament TV

But it was the stark difference between the rival Labour and Tory frontbenches which really drew attention.

The deputy PM was flanked by female cabinet colleagues, leader of the Commons Lucy Powell and chancellor Rachel Reeves as she was grilled by her Conservative opposite number.

By contrast, Dowden had the resolutely male shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt and shadow leader of the Commons Chris Philp on either side of him on the opposition benches.

What’s more, all three men wore almost identical suits and ties and were backed up by similarly dressed male MPs in the row behind them.

The gender disparity is perhaps unsurprising, given the cabinet contains the highest ever number of women with 11 female MPs taking top government jobs.

There are also more female Labour MPs – a whopping 189 – than total Conservative MPs in parliament right now, as the Tories have a historic low with jus 121 seats.

And, to be fair, the Tories can point to the fact that they have had three female leaders – Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May and Liz Truss – to Labour’s none.

Oliver Dowden was flanked by Chris Philp and Jeremy Hunt.
Oliver Dowden was flanked by Chris Philp and Jeremy Hunt.
Parliament TV

Nevertheless, the clear difference between the gender balance of both parties’ frontbenches was noted by social media users.

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