UK Parliament Speaker requiring ties...

[Mouse]

The story of the day that has me shouting at the radio, is all about the Speaker of the UK Parliament wanting smart dressing in the chamber and suggesting that he would be slow to call members to speak who were not wearing a tie. Through out all the reporting I heard, nobody ventured to suggest anything about what women MPs should wear to be smart, as if they could wear what ever they liked, which they probably can and do. Males tightly constrained in the box as usual while women get a free pass.

[denimini]

No doubt a fine line between convention and bigotry. In either case it seems that discussion people have to contribute comes second to dress code.

[Barleymower]

After watching to a short film by Anne Widdecombe about the 'war on men' I was incensed. Anne is, btw, fighting for men in this instance. She was talking about the 'gender pay gap" which is something I don't pay much attention to because in the construction industry I have never heard any women complain about a gender pay gap.
Anne explained that the pay gap is caused by women routinely going part time after childbirth. Put simply, they work fewer hours resulting in a pay gap. She further explained that men are routinely denied the opportunity to work part time.

My point being this: telling men to wear a tie is the thin end of the wedge.

[STEVIE]

Another little quirk of UK employment law, men can be forced to wear a tie at work provided that women have some comparable requirement.
I have no idea what the employment status of MPs is, but the speaker should get hauled up for what is a unilateral declaration of discrimination. Not based on gender but, more absurdly, sartorial prejudice, which could be applied on a whim toward anyone.
Steve.

[Fred in Skirts]

Neck ties are a curse on men!!! As far as I am concerned they do nothing but constrict your breathing and blood flow to the brain. In the old west a hanging was called a neck tie party and I see no difference today. Being forced to wear a neck tie is like being sent to the gallows.

Do not allow the fashion police to hang you by the neck until your are no longer able to live!!! Rebel against the tie and fight to be free of the noose!!!

[STEVIE]

Brave words Fred, maybe even true.
However, easier said than done if there is a wife, kids and mortgage to support.
If we have to wear trousers to preserve jobs, a tie is insignificant by comparison.
Just be thankful that we have the choice where many others do not.
Steve.

[moonshadow]

Sometimes it's good to be a an old prole. As we are expendable pieces of trash in the eyes of our party overlords, we are basically free.

As for the politicians, let 'em hang by their ties. I assume they are similar to the politicians here... corrupt as hell,, have long since sold their souls for their little taste of power.

They're not even human... f--- 'em!

[skirted84]

I seen a credible suggestion some years ago requiring women to wear skirts was an equivalent expectation to mens suit and ties in a business environment, though I know whats infinitely more comfortable. Obviously thats illegal in itself now as women challenged the skirt requirement, and any dress codes for women are becoming risky to impose.

[JohnH]

If I'm forced to wear a neck tie I would wear a skirt suit, makeup, earrings, and heels. Yes, that would fulfill the requirement of my wearing a tie as a man..

John

[geron]

I have no idea what the employment status of MPs is, but the speaker should get hauled up for what is a unilateral declaration of discrimination.

As I understand it, our MPs are not employed. But parliamentary sessions are formal occasions, and it seems entirely reasonable to expect our representatives to dress formally out of respect for their constituents and the seriousness of the business being conducted. So a tie should remain de rigueur for male MPs in House of Commons sessions. However, I can't see any reason why they shouldn't accompany it with a skirt if they choose to....

[JohnH]

I say there should be two dress codes equally applied to both genders. If you want to wear trousers, you should be required to wear a coat and tie. If you don't want to wear a tie, you should be required to wear a skirt or dress.

John

[Faldaguy]

I say there should be two dress codes equally applied to both genders. If you want to wear trousers, you should be required to wear a coat and tie. If you don't want to wear a tie, you should be required to wear a skirt or dress.

John

Sorry, one dress code, three, ten..... there should not be any dress codes. The clothes, conformity, and regimentation do not reflect inherent human values, integrity, or much of anything other than some arbitrary notions of what someone else thinks you should do; no more valid than lemmings running off cliffs to commit suicide. If anything, I'm a damn sight more skeptical of the man in the suit, cassocks or vestments telling me the truth than my grocer, mechanic, or coffee mate. If I looked to the largest gatherings of "respectful suits" it is probably legislatures where more drivel and lies arise than most anyplace else!

[moonshadow]

Sorry, one dress code, three, ten..... there should not be any dress codes. The clothes, conformity, and regimentation do not reflect inherent human values, integrity, or much of anything other than some arbitrary notions of what someone else thinks you should do; no more valid than lemmings running off cliffs to commit suicide. If anything, I'm a damn sight more skeptical of the man in the suit, cassocks or vestments telling me the truth than my grocer, mechanic, or coffee mate. If I looked to the largest gatherings of "respectful suits" it is probably legislatures where more drivel and lies arise than most anyplace else!

+1.

One of the things I love about the city, is all the different types of people one see's. I like to see people freely expressing who they are.

[mr seamstress]

I say there should be two dress codes equally applied to both genders. If you want to wear trousers, you should be required to wear a coat and tie. If you don't want to wear a tie, you should be required to wear a skirt or dress.

John

In American congress there are two dress codes and the are both bad ideas. Women is forbidden to wear blouses or dresses that are sleeveless in addition men have to wear suite and tie. I don't see how one abuse is better when having two abusive dress codes. A woman is considered indecent if she shows her arms not covered, more indecent than a girl wearing a G-string bikini on a beach.

Sorry, one dress code, three, ten..... there should not be any dress codes. The clothes, conformity, and regimentation do not reflect inherent human values, integrity, or much of anything other than some arbitrary notions of what someone else thinks you should do

I agree. Dress codes does nothing in making a person a better person. This is why dress codes in school doesn't work. But people argue how dress codes make students better students when having dress codes implemented. When these dress codes doesn't work in schools, they sure aren't going to work anywhere else. Dress codes will never improve a person. If a person is an ass, making him/her wear suite and tie, or dress, or skirt that person is still an ass no matter what he/she wears.

[JohnH]

In American congress there are two dress codes and the are both bad ideas. Women is forbidden to wear blouses or dresses that are sleeveless in addition men have to wear suite and tie. I don't see how one abuse is better when having two abusive dress codes. A woman is considered indecent if she shows her arms not covered, more indecent than a girl wearing a G-string bikini on a beach.

I have railed against the STUPID dress code for men in Congress with the coats and ties.
But this prohibition of dresses and blouses that are sleeveless is REALLY ridiculous. I have worn sleeveless dresses to church and have seen women wearing sleeveless dresses and blouses.
For that matter, why not insist men wear powdered wigs?

Meanwhile, the US has a Secret Service that was criminally negligent in protecting Donald Trump. Only by the grace of God was the assassination of Trump not successful.

John