JL

Birmingham, the night of the count. Labour’s Jess Phillips is announced the winner on stage for Yardley. In an attempt to get a photo of the candidates on stage, am standing among a throng of men on the counting hall floor supporting the workers party candidate. They boo Jess, cat-call and chant the candidate’s name over and over as if it is a boxing match. They try to drown out her voice. It is ugly and it is shameful. As I extricate myself from the pack I shake my head in anger. There is nothing elegant in this brazen show of misogyny and bullishness. Shabana Mahmood gets the same treatment. Both women show defiance yet overall, it is an unpleasant, unnecessary and degrading experience. Elsewhere in Britain, post-election speeches were demonstrations of grace in defeat, and humility in success. As it should be. We aren’t tribal like America. We aren’t quick to protest like France. Sometimes we might admire the more direct approach of other countries. Yet I love our restraint. The passion is there. Reservoirs of it. But the speeches often follow unwritten protocols that show honour and valour almost to the point that the victor becomes indiscernible. Democracy is something to value and treasure. As Brits, I think we value it, although the disappointing turnout gives cause for concern. Isn’t it a prize that our individual vote counts every bit as much as the Prime Minister? Isn’t that fantastic? The workers party claimed to stand for Palestine. A cause I sympathise with, and one that deserves the attentions of the media. Hyped up and militant at 5am, it was clear that the main aim of the male group was to disabuse others of a respectful election. Particularly the female candidates. Jess shook hands with all candidates after the announcement. All except one. The workers party candidate refused her, which was received with cheers for him and jeers for Jess from his swarm of supporters. Surely a candidate standing on a single-issue platform, to improve conditions for Palestinian people, would appreciate the opportunity to build a bridge with his local MP. He could have used that opportunity to progress the cause. Suffragists fought hard for voting rights just over a hundred years ago. Anyone who values women’s rights should be concerned by activities that seek to block their access to democratic choice. There was overt and covert misogyny in this election. It needs investigating and fixing. If women don’t have voting rights, then we don’t have a democracy. @jessphillips @JaneRockHouse @5050Parliament @fawcettsociety @ShabanaMahmood @birminghamlive