Jones: ‘Does Boris know any women he can trust?’
August 14, 2009 by Martin Hoscik · 3 Comments
Boris Johnson has come under fire after he announced an entirely male list of new appointments to the London Skills and Employment Board.
On Friday morning the Mayor announced Mike Westcott, Global HR Director of National Grid, Gerry Murray, Chief Executive of Huveaux PLC, and Peter Lewis, Chief Executive of London Voluntary Services Council would all join the body.
In a statement issue by City Hall, Johnson says: “When London emerges from recession it is vital that we are strong and highly competitive in the global market place. Central to that is ensuring London’s labour market offers a wide pool of talent so that our businesses can take on the best in the world.”
“That means that we constantly update our strategy and thinking and draw on the experiences of all sectors. I am confident that these appointments will add even greater value to the work of the Board.”
However Green Party Assembly Member Jenny Jones has criticised the Mayor for failing to appoint any women to the Board.
Speaking to MayorWatch Jones commented: “Like all of the Mayor’s new teams, boards or committees, the Skills Board is light on female representation. I’m starting to think that Boris really doesn’t know many women he feels he can trust, which is rather sad for us all. Does this indicate the womenlite future of the UK under a Tory government?”
I am sure Bojo appoints those whom he regards as best for the job. It is not a gender issue
“A wide pool of talent” but one that only represents less than half the population? Put the kettle on, love.
What else do you expect? – Boris is an old school Tory and therefore a Chauvinist.
Of course he thinks women are inferior – hasn’t anyone been listening for the past year?
With regard to Ron’s comments above – well I’m sure his other appointees we’re supposed to be ‘the best for the job’ – but sadly the majority of them proved not to be. Sadly Boris is no better at picking winners than I am at picking winning numbers on the lottery.
Lets analyse some of what Boris says:
“Central to that is ensuring London’s labour market offers a wide pool of talent so that our businesses can take on the best in the world.”
….Translates to “we must make sure our workforce is skilled and exploitable so that we can attract business here so they can make lots of profit and remove it from our Economy instead of someone else’s”
“That means that we constantly update our strategy and thinking and draw on the experiences of all sectors. I am confident that these appointments will add even greater value to the work of the Board.”
…means – “I don’t really have a plan at the moment, but I’m hoping these appointments will think of one for me so I can look like I know what I’m doing.”
I wonder if Boris ever read about the contradictions of Capitalism and the theory of overproduction – or even the recent Economic history of Japan?
I’m guessing not or else he wouldn’t be so glib as to say “When London emerges from recession”
If I were mayor I would be working out how I’m going to feed the people of London when the fuel stops (through strike action or oil price inflation) out and the shelves are empty within 2 weeks.
Still – the “combined intelligence of Government” hasn’t realised the enormity of the situation – so why would Boris?