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2010 media term for female Conservative MPs From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cameron Cutie was a political term used in the UK to refer to female prospective parliamentary candidates and Members of Parliament (MPs) for the 2010 general election from the Conservative Party who were personally supported by then-party leader David Cameron.[1] The term emerged in 2009,[2] and was seen as a Conservative version of the more prominent Blair Babe.[3]
Promoting women candidates was a way of reaching female voters similar to the means by which New Labour won their 1997 landslide.[4] As part of his party's modernisation programme, Cameron advocated for more female MPs.[5] A male equivalent was coined as a "mate of Dave".[6]
Some grassroots activists resented that David Cameron personally selected female parachute candidates for winnable seats.[7] There were female members of the Conservative A-List, priority candidates that were selected for the general election.[8] Mayor of Antrim Adrian Watson said he was overlooked for being the Ulster Conservatives and Unionist candidate in South Antrim for not being a "Cameron cutie".[9]
The term was derided in the media when a number of sex scandals were reported on including some of the candidates.[10] The term was used frequently in the media coverage of the Westminster North Conservative Association selection in 2009 between Joanne Cash and Amanda Sayers, two female lawyers.[11]
The following politicians have been described with the label:
Name | Constituency in 2010 | Election | Other |
---|---|---|---|
Kemi Badenoch[12] | Dulwich and West Norwood | ![]() |
Elected in Saffron Walden in the 2017 general election |
Joanne Cash[13] | Westminster North | ![]() |
|
Caroline Dinenage[14] | Gosport | ![]() |
Minister under Cameron, May and Johnson |
Deborah Dunleavy[15] | Bolton North East | ![]() |
|
Laura Hutchings[16] | The former director of the Conservative Middle East Council | ||
Keely Huxtable[17] | Birmingham Northfield | ![]() |
|
Louise Mensch[18] | Corby | ![]() |
Stood down midterm triggering the 2012 Corby by-election |
Caroline Nokes[19] | Romsey and Southampton North | ![]() |
Cabinet minister under Theresa May |
Claire Perry O'Neill[20] | Devizes | ![]() |
Cabinet minister under Theresa May |
Amber Rudd[21] | Hastings and Rye | ![]() |
Cabinet minister under David Cameron and Theresa May |
Chloe Smith[22] | Norwich North | ![]() |
Elected in the 2009 Norwich North by-election |
Liz Truss[23] | South West Norfolk | ![]() |
Future prime minister, defeated in the 2024 election.[24] |
Sarah Wollaston[25] | Totnes | ![]() |
Defected to Change UK and Liberal Democrats in 2019 |
The term Cameron Cutie was described as sexist.[26] Rachel Johnson did not like the term.[27] Mark Wallace called it an objectionable term and "an even more patronising version of 'Blair's babes'".[28]
Louise Mensch described herself as a feminist instead of a Cameron Cutie.[29]
Following the 2015 general election, new MP Andrea Jenkyns called herself "feisty Yorkshirewoman" rather than a Cameron Cutie.[30]
In 2022, David Cameron called the usage of the term "embarrassing" in an opinion piece.[31]
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