Shadow Minister for Labour Angela Rayner made headlines this week with claims made that she was 'crossing and uncrossing' her legs in an attempt to distract PM Boris Johnston. As expected the headline was met with major backlash, on both sides of the political isle - with Senior Tory ministers suggesting the case should be met with direct action, and Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer claiming there exists a sexist culture in the Commons. This has been seconded by UK International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan who said: "all women in Parliament have been subject to wandering hands."
While this appears to be a subset of elected officials, it does raise the question of the dangers this poses - as sexist attitudes may seep through the cracks into political policy. This has been further compounded with reports of a Tory MP watching pornography in the Commons, with Tory Chief Whip ordering imminent investigation. While it seems action is being taken and the issues are being address opposed to being brushed under the carpet, it does beg the question as to where this stems from.
With the vast majority of MP's coming from private educations (33%, despite 7% of the population attending private schooling) and privileged backgrounds, it could be taken through an elitist class condescension lens, with Angela Rayner targeted due to her working class council estate upbringing. With anyone outside the upper class, Etonian inner circle being put a step below.