Tory MP wins battle for International Men's Day debate in Parliament
Philip Davies said it was unfair that MPs hold an International Women's Day debate but not an equivalent for men, sparking a row with Labour MP Jess Phillips, who said the debate should only be granted 'when women in Parliament have parity'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Conservative MP has won his battle for Parliament to hold a debate to mark International Men's Day.
MPs will discuss the higher rates of suicide and lower life expectancy among men as well as focussing on male victims of domestic abuse on Thursday November 19 after a campaign by Conservative MP for Shipley Philip Davies.
His demand for an International Men's Day debate was initially rejected by the committee of MPs who decide which backbench debates should take place but after support from fellow MPs, such as chair of the Labour parliamentary party John Cryer and female Tory MP Lucy Allen he was granted a debate for Westminster Hall, the overflow room for parliamentary debate.
He argued that there was not enough debate around issues affecting men - including a rising male suicide rate and the low achievement of boys in school and said it was wrong that MPs held a debate on International Women's Day and not one on the equivalent day for men.
It comes after an explosive row between Mr Davies and Labour MP Jessica Phillips, the only female member of the Backbench Business Committee who told him: “As the only woman on this committee, it seems like every day to me is International Men’s Day.
"When I've got parity, when women in these buildings have parity, you can have your debate."
Round 2: @jessphillips @PhilipDaviesMP talk equality and calls for men's & women's days on #bbcdp debate @Jo_Coburn https://t.co/FZvessM7g3
— DailySunday Politics (@daily_politics) November 2, 2015 She argued that there was already ample time for men's issues to be discussed.
Her opposition to holding an International Men's Day debate triggered a powerful response on Twitter as she received a barrage of disparaging tweets and messages threatening to rape her.
She took to Twitter to voice her distress after being subjected to violent sexist abuse on Twitter because of her objections.
The latest figures for the UK show life expectancy for men is four years shorter than women but the gap has narrowed since 1981, when the disparity was six years and by 2030 experts predict men will live to an average age of 85.7 - just two years fewer than women.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments