Caroline Lucas couldn't be more wrong: what we need now is a cabinet of men

Yesterday’s statement by Caroline Lucas, in which she called for a “cabinet of women” to stop a no-deal Brexit, was one of the most embarrassing products of “feminism”.  Why did she think it would work? Because she believes women “ can bring a different perspective to crises, are able to reach out to those they disagree with and cooperate to find solutions”.

Granted, it was a nice surprise to hear a Green Party MP invoke gender stereotypes. In an age where there are now rules against advertisements depicting what many would call gender-based humour, such as men struggling to change nappies, or women struggling to park a car, it is encouraging to see more liberal voices resist trends of PC culture gone mad.   

Alas, it’s just a shame Lucas’ use of gender difference was plain stupid. 

First and foremost, we’ve had a female prime minister since 2016. A cabinet of women would not bring a differently gendered perspective to negotiations. It would bring more women’s perspectives to three years of May’s perspective. May, a female prime minister, fits Lucas’ stereotype; she repeatedly stressed the need for cross-party collaboration and reached out to those with whom she disagreed (not least because she started as a Remainer). 

Caroline Lucas, on the other hand, contradicts her own stereotype. She refused to cooperate when she voted down May’s Brexit deal and continues to campaign for a second referendum. As for reaching out to those in disagreement with her? Well, her select 10 female politicians all campaigned for Remain, oppose a no-deal Brexit, and, apart from Nicola Sturgeon (who does not have a seat in the House of Commons) and Sylvia Hermon, voted against May’s Brexit deal. 

Glossing over her own self-contradiction, Lucas backs up her stereotype by citing four women leaders who solved “intractable problems”: Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan for the Peace People movement, and Christiana Figueres and Ségolène Royal for the Paris Agreement. Although inspirational figures, I can’t help but ask whether these women, and their solutions, are really the best my sex has to offer . . . If we want leaders known for forging solutions, Mandela, Gandhi, and Churchill all come to mind. Lucas’ women aren’t exactly household names. 

Rather than extol the stellar diplomatic achievements of women, Lucas’ letter comes across as whiny, self-contradictory, and desperate. Meanwhile, we have a cabinet led by Boris Johnson — full of positivity, self-assertion, and vision. 

We have had three years of a woman reaching out and asking for cooperation. The result? Widespread humiliation and a postponed Brexit. Caroline Lucas is foolish to advocate for more of the same. 

Instead, perhaps Lucas should have called for a cabinet of men. If subscribing to stereotypes, a cabinet of men might promise a ‘can-do’ attitude, fewer concessions, and a cabinet that acts and delivers. The EU strong-arms us from behind. It is not the time for mild-mannered meekness. 

If our country needs a “different perspective” to Brexit, then let Boris Johnson get cracking.