Liz Kendall Slams 'Sexism' Of The Hard Left, Says She Was 'Targeted' Because She Is A Woman

'It's so sexist, it pisses me off.'

Labour MP Liz Kendall has spoken out about "misogyny on the hard left" and the criticisms she faces as a woman in politics.

Ms Kendall, 44, described the "sexist" abuse she has received as a female MP, and how people highlight the fact she does not have any children.

The MP for Leicester West told the Sunday Times Magazine that she was targeted for being a woman, using examples of when she ran for the Labour leadership last year.

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'It's so sexist, it pisses me off.'
Lauren Hurley/PA Archive

At the time, Ms Kendall's campaign hit out at rivals highlighting the fact she had no children, amid further rumours that she was in a relationship with recently divorced Labour MP John Woodcock, The Press Association reported.

Describing the insults she has been subjected to on Twitter, she said: "There's a lot of old-fashioned misogyny on the hard left; you've only got to look at the comments about me during the leadership campaign.

"I was called a bitch, a whore, a see-you-next-Tuesday, as they say on Towie. All because my political views weren't the same as theirs. I didn't like doing it, but sometimes I did retweet them, just because I wanted to make a point and say 'women shouldn't have to put up with this'."

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'Is there a cut-off age for being a mother? Oh, come on!'
Yui Mok/PA Archive

Ms Kendall also complained of an unfair focus on her weight and said she is labelled "poor, single, childless spinster Liz".

She said: "My situation isn't that unusual.

"Men never get asked questions like these.Why have I not had kids? I never found myself in the right relationship. Am I in a relationship? None of your business. Will I ever have kids? I've certainly not closed any doors. Is there a cut-off age for being a mother? Oh, come on!"

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Kendall at the Labour conference where Jeremy Corbyn was announced as the party's new leader
Stefan Rousseau/PA Archive

Ms Kendall said she believed that, in politics, her appearance and familial status is seen as a qualifier for her job.

She said it was "sexist" that a woman's capability was judged by this, adding: "I am a feminist. Women should be judged on what they have to offer. Who cares about what they look like, whether they're in a relationship or have given birth?

"Sadly, politics and certain sections of the media are a long way behind the rest of society; they think it relates to whether a woman can do her job or not. It's so sexist. It pisses me off."

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