This 1970 clip went viral because people can’t believe Robin Day’s questions
A century after the 1918 suffrage act that gave many women the vote – and the right to stand for parliament – this clip from the 1970 election went viral because people can’t believe interviewer Robin Day’s line of questions.
He’s talking to Janet (now Baroness) Fookes who has just been won the seat of Merton and Morden in the 1970 election.
It starts bad and gets worse.
“I think we should say Miss Fookes is the most gorgeous redhead” – Fifty years after women first won the vote and the right to stand for Parliament, Janet (now Baroness) Fookes had to put up with this on election night 1970. #votesforwomen #Vote100 @UKVote100 @UKParliament pic.twitter.com/gIOtnqsHst
— Martyn Oates (@bbcmartynoates) February 5, 2018
We’ve come a long way since then. Well, most of us have.
this was last year pic.twitter.com/jynuQp9oq5
— NY Suri (@nysuri) February 6, 2018
The ‘music and sailing’ question is a reference to Ted Heath, which is interesting in itself.
Here’s what people made of it online.
1.
“I think we should say Miss Fookes is the most gorgeous redhead” – Fifty years after women first won the vote and the right to stand for Parliament, Janet (now Baroness) Fookes had to put up with this on election night 1970. #votesforwomen #Vote100 @UKVote100 @UKParliament pic.twitter.com/gIOtnqsHst
— Martyn Oates (@bbcmartynoates) February 5, 2018
2.
There’s plenty of blokes still about that probably think this was just good old bantz & its all “PC gone mad” that we don’t treat women MPs this way on TV in 2018. No doubt its all Corbyns fault. Or the Guardian. Or whatever today’s frothing irrational dislike is.
— kevinchesters (@hairychesters) February 6, 2018
3.
A little harsh to hang draw and quarter in a world of different social mores than that of 1970, however uncomfortable this is to watch. The intention of neither was to demean.
— Stuart Glover (@loveglove65) February 6, 2018
4.
Of course it was. Society expected men to demean the professional experience of women and concentrate on their looks. Plus ca change…
— Mary Regnier-Wilson (@MaryRegW) February 6, 2018
5.
https://t.co/efgP00JDo3 didn’t mention that the presenter was informing people watching in Black and White.
— Lyndon Bailey (@knowlelyndon) February 6, 2018
6.
1. What the hell does the colour of her hair matter in any case? 2. And how do you explain the “gorgeous” bit? Does that not show in black and white? Did he comment on how attractive the men were?
— Patrick Samphire (@patricksamphire) February 6, 2018
7.
That smile has been smiled by millions of women across the world when patronised to by a bloke.
— Jane-Claire Judson (@JCJudson) February 6, 2018
8.
And Janet Fookes went on to hold her marginal seat for 27 years, and was a brilliant Deputy Speaker of the House 1992-97.
— AJBell (@RicardosGhost) February 6, 2018
9.
I’ll never forget Dame Janet. She was my MP years ago in Plymouth. Big battle with the CSA. Nobody would help until she got involved. Result – CSA admitted serious mismanagement of my case. Took the stress out of my life. Great MP
— David Scholey (@dcscholey) February 6, 2018
10.
What a bully. The laughing in the background isn’t just rude, it’s intimidating.
— Matt Forde (@mattforde) February 6, 2018
11.
If you watch one thing today….. https://t.co/EHEZCBgWIP
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) February 6, 2018
12.
Oh my God, this is toe curlingly awful. https://t.co/ssAAYLjpZr
— Daniel Finkelstein (@Dannythefink) February 6, 2018
