Philip Davies MP rages against feminist ‘cake-eaters’ Women want equality “but only when it suits” them, according to a Conservative MP. Philip Davies’ assertion that “politically correct […]

Women want equality “but only when it suits” them, according to a Conservative MP.

Philip Davies’ assertion that “politically correct males” are pandering to “militant feminists” and that there is a “deafening silence” over the benefits women have in comparison to men has drawn condemnation. The comments have been branded “ignorant” by Lib Dems leader Tim Farron and have been criticised by Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

During a speech about the justice gender gap made in July at the anti-feminist party Justice for Men and Boys (J4MB) event, Mr Davies said: “In this day and age the feminist zealots really do want women to have their cake and eat it.” He went on to say the legal system was biased in favour of women.

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‘Fight for version of equality that suits them’

J4MB website “Only a small minority of women are feminists. They seek gender supremacy, regardless of the impact on men, women, boys, girls, families, public institutions, and wider society. They are driven by misandry (the hatred of men).”

Davies suggested the justice system treated women better than men. He said: “They fight for their version of equality on all the things that suit women but are very quick to point out that women need special protections and treatment on other things.”

Mr Davies also said he did not believe there was “an issue between men and women”.

“I think the problem is being stirred up by those who could be described as militant feminists and politically correct males who pander to this nonsense,” he said in comments first published by The Guardian.

‘Increasing concern’

“This has led to an equality but-only-when-it-suits agenda that applies to women. The drive for women to have so-called equality on all things that suit the politically correct agenda but not other things that don’t is of increasing concern to me.”

Other politicians did not share Mr Davies’ concern, though.

Ms Davidson, told i: “I strongly disagree [with Philip Davies]. I think few women who’ve gone through criminal justice system would regard it as stacked in their favour.”

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron called his comments “truly ignorant” and “astonishing”.

“The need for feminism is self-evident. In the UK, on average two women a week are killed by a violent partner or ex-partner, the gender pay gap in full-time work stands at 24 per cent and women are under-represented in Parliament and on FTSE 100 boards.”

I am proud to call myself a feminist. Philip Davies' remarks are truly ignorant. https://t.co/CDL7BS1YCX — Tim Farron (@timfarron) August 12, 2016

Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, said: “It’s staggering to hear an elected MP – and one who serves on the Commons’ Justice Committee – set out claims that demonstrate so little understanding of the facts of our justice system.

“His assertion that the UK justice system shows ‘clear discrimination against men, and certainly not the other way round’ is astoundingly ill-informed.”