[bitontheslide]

A Labour MP whose bared shoulder prompted criticism on social media has said she is not "a tart".

The tongue-in-cheek reply from Tracy Brabin, the shadow culture secretary, came after online abuse of her appearance in Parliament on Monday.

An initial tweet questioned if her outfit was "appropriate attire" for Parliament.

Ms Brabin said she was surprised people "could get so emotional over a shoulder".

The Batley and Spen MP had been raising a point of order in the House of Commons, about journalists being asked to leave a Downing Street press briefing on the next stage of Brexit talks, when her shoulder appeared.

Ms Brabin told the BBC the response was "sadly" routine and "another example of the every day sexism women face".

She said she always tried to look smart but her slightly off-the-shoulder dress had slipped a little as she had leant forward to speak.

On the online comments, she said: "They were playing top trumps on how rude they could be.

"They are idiots and they are rude but I am not going to lose much sleep over them."

Ms Brabin, who was elected to replace the murdered MP Jo Cox in 2016, said it was important to speak out about issues like this for other women who did not have a voice to protest when they were denigrated for their appearance.

"It's important I don't let other women down," she said.

MPs do not have an official dress code, although they are advised to wear "usual" business dress.

Male MPs were told in 2017 they did not need to wear ties in the chamber by the then Speaker, John Bercow.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-51379041

[Kate!]

Didn't she used to be an actress?

[smudgie]

Originally Posted by Kate!

Didn't she used to be an actress?

Aye..in Corrie.

[parmnion]

Depends...was it dress down Friday?

[Mystic Mock]

People on Social Media seriously got up in arms over a bare shoulder.

Seriously what is wrong with some people?

[Alf]

Today, Jacob is turning up to work in his vest and pants.

[Cherie]

It’s an odd shape neckline, but hey ho it’s a shoulder people

[arista]

Originally Posted by Alf

Today, Jacob is turning up to work in his vest and pants.

Yes good point
he would not

[Ammi]

..it’s not a good point, Arista...to compare an item of outer clothing to items of underwear.....wearing an off the shoulder dress or top to work is not the same as wearing underwear to work as your only items of clothing...

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..it’s not a good point, Arista...to compare an item of outer clothing to items of underwear.....wearing an off the shoulder dress or top to work is not the same as wearing underwear to work as your only items of clothing...

I didn't compare anything. You just made that up.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Alf

I didn't compare anything. You just made that up.

Alf arista ??

[Ammi]

...I didn’t suggest that you made any comparison...the responsive post intimated that you did though, and that’s what I commented on..so your post should have been directed at that post, not mine...don’t be too eager with your hostility, Alf...try to use it a little more sparingly and more correctly directed, if you must...

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...I didn’t suggest that you made any comparison...the responsive post intimated that you did though, and that’s what I commented on..so your post should have been directed at that post, not mine...don’t be too eager with your hostility, Alf...try to use it a little more sparingly and more correctly directed, if you must...

Read your post again,. Arista says "good point," you say "it's not a good point, Arista... To compare an item of of outer clothing to items of underwear"

So you're saying to Arista, that my post wasn't a good point and it compared something.

[arista]

That MP went on BBC1 AM at 8:11AM
Live Link she was in the London Studio.

At least on that interview
she said more important
matters are above what she calls Sexism
on twitter.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..it’s not a good point, Arista...to compare an item of outer clothing to items of underwear.....wearing an off the shoulder dress or top to work is not the same as wearing underwear to work as your only items of clothing...

The Camera in Parliament
looks down,
she created a Distraction.

Everyone is saying that , now
Ammi

[Kazanne]

If it distracts from what she is trying to say , well yes it's probably inappropriate in that context.

[Liam-]

It only distracts the people who hate women wearing what they want to, it’s a shoulder ffs, if she was sat there flashing her knickers I might understand the problem

[Twosugars]

Originally Posted by Liam-

It only distracts the people who hate women wearing what they want to, it’s a shoulder ffs, if she was sat there flashing her knickers I might understand the problem

Agree. Sexism at play.

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Twosugars

Agree. Sexism at play.

Case solved.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Liam-

It only distracts the people who hate women wearing what they want to, it’s a shoulder ffs, if she was sat there flashing her knickers I might understand the problem

She would be sacked for being Drunk.


This open shoulder does distract many

[Livia]

It's not something I would ever wear to work. Or that anyone I work with would wear.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Liam-

It only distracts the people who hate women wearing what they want to, it’s a shoulder ffs, if she was sat there flashing her knickers I might understand the problem

People like me? Who hate women wearing what they want to? LOL... This isn't a slut walk, it's the House of Commons. If she wants anyone to pay attention to what she has to say, put the body away.

It's like A male MP turning up in a teeshirt.

[smudgie]

Originally Posted by Livia

People like me? Who hate women wearing what they want to? LOL... This isn't a slut walk, it's the House of Commons. If she wants anyone to pay attention to what she has to say, put the body away.

It's like A male MP turning up in a teeshirt.

I agree.
What next, a bronzed medallion man
Sometimes a little decorum is called for.

[Liam-]

A slutwalk? For showing a shoulder?.. I mean, I know I’m not an expert of female sexuality, but really? A slut for showing a shoulder? Anyone would think she lobbed a tit out and waved it at Moggy

I’m more concerned about people’s behaviour in the commons than their choice of clothing, I thought we were past telling women what they can wear, I thought we were even further past calling women derogatory names for their clothing choices too, guess I was wrong

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Liam-

A slutwalk? For showing a shoulder?.. I mean, I know I’m not an expert of female sexuality, but really? A slut for showing a shoulder? Anyone would think she lobbed a tit out and waved it at Moggy

I’m more concerned about people’s behaviour in the commons than their choice of clothing, I thought we were past telling women what they can wear, I thought we were even further past calling women derogatory names for their clothing choices too, guess I was wrong

Try not to take everything so literally. And what's derogatory about mentioning a slutwalk? I never called her a slut, that was your narrow take on what was meant to be a tongue-in-cheek reply.

We are not past telling people what they can and can't wear. Many jobs have a dress code. She's not an actress anymore. If she wants to dress like a barmaid, she's in the wrong job. I'd say the same to any male MP who rocked up wearing an Hawaiian shirt.