The newly created Wives of Westminster lifestyle website, set up by the partner of a Conservative MP, has been described as sexist.
Founded by Nevena Bridgen, who married the Tory MP Andrew Bridgen in 2017, the website boasts to be a “digital home to all fashionable, sophisticated women with brains, hearts and style”.
“The Wives of Westminster take a kind-spirited, open-minded, feel good, nourishing inside and out, purpose-centric approach to a meaningful life,” the website claims.
“Our themes revolve around the lifestyle of the Wives of Westminster: women empowerment, modern family, careers, wellness, purpose, kid-friendly lifestyle.”
But in response to the website, the Labour MP Rachel Reeves said: “I’m sorry but 100 years since women started to take seats in parliament is this actually for real?
“Women of Westminster are legislators, policy-makers and great constituency MPs. Let’s celebrate them however wonderful some MPs’ wives (or husbands) might be.”
Steve Ladner, the husband of the Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, added: “What a load of sexist, backward-thinking nonsense! You need to have a very long think about what you are all about. You may be shocked to discover there are some women MPs these days.”
In response to the criticism, Ms Bridgen said: “It is a sad day for the Labour Party when their MPs criticise women for discussing issues such as gender equality and the provision of baby-changing facilities for fathers. Perhaps the socialists think they own these topics, I can assure them that they don’t.
“To quote Madeleine Albright: there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women. The Labour MP Rachel Reeves, along with her colleagues (holders of the political office), is attacking a working woman, a mother, a wife, an opera artist and my freedom of expression. They feel threatened that a Tory political spouse is talking about women empowerment, equal pay and is focusing on female-centric stories.
“I’ve challenged their stereotype about what, according to them, a Tory political spouse is supposed to be. The Wives of Westminster project is reaching out for equality.”
Posts shared on the website’s affiliated Instagram page include a “shopping column” with an image of a £3,000 blazer, a £525 pair of shoes and a handbag on sale for more than £700.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Wives Of Westminster (@twowhashtag) on
In an editorial for the website, authored by Ms Bridgen, she writes: “Wives of politicians are more than just pretty accessories, they have a strong voice and they are entitled to their own opinions.
“How many times have I found myself at a dinner table or a cocktail reception, listening to others talking to my husband but not even trying to make an effort to have a basic conversation with me?
“Sometimes, I would just stand there and the person talking to my husband wouldn’t even introduce themselves to me. Being invisible or visible, depending on what’s needed, is a role that’s unsolicitedly assigned to us, The Wives of Westminster.”
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