Blair Babes or Blair's Babes was a term sometimes used to refer to the 101 female Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Labour Party elected to the House of Commons in Labour's landslide 1997 general election victory, after images of the new prime minister, Tony Blair, with 96[1] of them on the steps of Church House in Westminster were widely publicised.[2] The photographs have been called "infamous".[3] The phrase is attributed to the Daily Mail.[4] The term has been criticised as trivialising women in politics, and the group of women MPs to which it referred have been studied as a group.

Background

The 1997 general election saw more women elected to the House of Commons than ever – 120, exactly double the 60 elected at the 1992 general election. Aside from the 101 Labour MPs, there were also 13 Conservatives, three Liberal Democrats, and three from other parties (including Speaker Betty Boothroyd, previously a Labour politician). However, many of the new female MPs grew disillusioned, and nine either chose not to stand or lost their seats in the 2001 general election. Despite two female MPs winning by-elections between 1997 and 2001, and other women being elected, the total number of female MPs fell to 118 at the 2001 general election. A further 22 stood down or lost their seats at the 2005 general election, although the number of female MPs increased again to a new record of 127.

Perception

According to The Times, Margaret Moran, MP for Luton South, described the "perception that the 1997 intake of female Labour MPs are all robotic clones" as "complete tosh".[5] Moran said that she herself was not a Blair Babe, but a "Blair Witch".[5] The columnist Polly Toynbee condemned the term as a "casual, misogynist tag."[6]

Implications of the term

The sociological implications of the term and the experiences of Labour's women MPs were extensively analysed by Sarah Childs in her 2004 book New Labour's Women MPs: Women Representing Women.[7] It has been identified as a trivialising way to refer to women in politics, similar to Cameron Cutie.[8] Tony Blair's wife Cherie Blair did not like the term.[9] Margaret Moran said it should not be used.[10] The term has also been used within Parliament to stigmatise some women MPs, separating "young attractive" Blair's Babes from "brainy babe[s]".[11]

Some of the group believe that the term was harmful to their ability to bring about change, and that it encouraged a focus on their appearance.[4] It has been reported that the Daily Mail used the term "to challenge Labour's claim that having 101 women MPs would make a difference".[4]

Experiences of Blair's Babes as a group

This group of women MPs has sometimes been used as a way to examine women MPs' experiences in Parliament, as in a Guardian article by Rachel Cooke in 2007.[3] Cooke's interviews of ten of the women found that some of them had experienced bullying, sexism and cliques in Parliament, as well as working hours that conflicted with family life.[3] They have also been the subject of "where are they now?" articles.[12]

The journalist Lucy Ward has written of the group,[13]

The story of the so-called "Blair Babes" ... is a unique tale of soaring expectations, disappointed dreams and indignant rebuttals, with a few political casualties thrown in along the way. It reveals much about the party which, at first, set so much store by women's election, and about the image-obsessed government Britain elected.

As of the 2019 general election, there are ten Blair Babes left in the House of Commons, out of a total of 219 female MPs.

List

#NameConstituencyElectedLost seat/
Stood down		Notes
1.Diane AbbottHackney North and Stoke Newington1987
2.Irene AdamsPaisley North19902005Retired, ennobled as Baroness Adams of Craigielea in 2005
3.Janet AndersonRossendale and Darwen19922010Served as a government whip in 1997 and then under-secretary in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Reshuffled after the 2001 election. Lost seat to Conservative Jake Berry. Died in 2023
4.Hilary ArmstrongNorth West Durham19872010Served as Government Chief Whip of the House of Commons and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury from 2001 to 2006 then Minister for the Cabinet Office, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Social Exclusion from 2006 to 2007. Retired in 2010, subsequently ennobled as Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top.
5.Candy AthertonFalmouth and Camborne19972005Lost seat to Liberal Democrat Julia Goldsworthy. Died in 2017
6.Charlotte AtkinsStaffordshire Moorlands19972010Lost seat to Conservative Karen Bradley
7.Margaret BeckettDerby South1983Previously MP for Lincoln (1974–79). Retiring at the end of the 58th Parliament
8.Anne BeggAberdeen South19972015Lost seat to SNP's Callum McCaig
9.Liz BlackmanErewash19972010Retired
10.Hazel Blears[14]Salford/Salford and Eccles 19972015Retired
11.Helen Clark, Helen Brinton at the time[15]Peterborough19972005Lost seat to Conservative Stewart Jackson
12.Karen BuckRegent's Park and Kensington North/Westminster North (2010-)1997
13.Christine ButlerCastle Point19972001Lost seat to Conservative Bob Spink. Died in 2017
14.Anne CampbellCambridge19922005Lost seat to Liberal Democrat David Howarth
15.Judith ChurchDagenham19942001Retired
16.Lynda ClarkEdinburgh Pentlands19972005Retired
17.Ann ClwydCynon Valley19842019Retired
18.Ann CoffeyStockport19922019Resigned from the Labour Party and joined Change UK. Retired
19.Yvette Cooper[16]Pontefract and Castleford/Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford1997
20.Jean CorstonBristol East19922005Retired. Ennobled as Baroness Corston in 2005.
21.Ann CryerKeighley19972010Retired
22.Claire Curtis-ThomasCrosby19972010Retired
23.Valerie DaveyBristol West19972005Lost seat to Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams
24.Janet DeanBurton19972010Retired
25.Julia DrownSouth Swindon19972005Retired
26.Gwyneth DunwoodyCrewe/Crewe and Nantwich19742008Previously MP for Exeter (1966–70). Died in office
27.Angela EagleWallasey1992
28.Maria EagleLiverpool Garston/Garston and Halewood1997
29.Louise EllmanLiverpool Riverside19972019Resigned from the Labour Party and retired
30.Lorna FitzsimonsRochdale19972005Lost seat to Liberal Democrat Paul Rowen
31.Caroline FlintDon Valley19972019 Lost seat to Conservative Nick Fletcher
32.Barbara Follett[17]Stevenage19972010Retired
33.Maria FyfeGlasgow Maryhill19872001Retired
34.Linda GilroyPlymouth Sutton19972010Lost seat to Conservative Oliver Colvile
35.Llin GoldingNewcastle-under-Lyme19862001Retired. Ennobled in 2001 as Baroness Golding of Newcastle-Under-Lyme.
36.Eileen GordonRomford19972001Lost seat to Conservative Andrew Rosindell
37.Jane Griffiths[18][19]Reading East19972005Deselected
38Harriet HarmanCamberwell and Peckham1982Retiring at the end of the 58th Parliament
39.Sylvia HealHalesowen and Rowley Regis19972010Previously MP for Mid Staffordshire (1990-1992). Retired
40.Patricia HewittLeicester West19972010Retired
41.Margaret HodgeBarking1994Retiring at the end of the 58th Parliament
42.Kate HoeyVauxhall19892019Retired. Ennobled as Baroness Hoey of Lylehill and Rathlin in 2020.
43.Beverley HughesStretford and Urmston19972010Retired, ennobled as Baroness Hughes of Stretford in 2010.
44.Joan HumbleBlackpool North and Fleetwood19972010Retired
45.Glenda JacksonHampstead and Highgate19922015Retired. Died in 2023
46.Helen JacksonSheffield Hillsborough19922005Retired
47.Melanie JohnsonWelwyn Hatfield19972005Lost seat to Conservative Grant Shapps
48.Fiona Jones[20][21]Newark19972001Lost seat to Conservative Patrick Mercer. Died in 2007
49.Helen JonesWarrington North19972019Retired
50.Jenny JonesWolverhampton South West19972001Retired
51.Lynne JonesBirmingham Selly Oak19922010Retired
52.Tessa JowellDulwich and West Norwood19922015Retired. Ennobled as Baroness Jowell of Dulwich in 2015. Died in 2018.
53.Sally KeebleNorthampton North19972010Lost seat to Conservative Michael Ellis
54.Ann KeenBrentford and Isleworth19972010Lost seat to Conservative Mary Macleod.
55.Ruth Kelly[22]Bolton West19972010Retired
56.Jane KennedyLiverpool Broadgreen/Liverpool, Wavertree19922010Retired
57.Oona KingBethnal Green and Bow19972005Lost seat to George Galloway (Respect). Ennobled as Baroness King of Bow in 2011.
58.Tess KinghamGloucester19972001Retired
59.Jackie LawrencePreseli Pembrokeshire19972005Retired
60.Helen LiddellMonklands East/Airdrie and Shotts19942005Retired. Ennobled as Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke in 2005.
61.Fiona MactaggartSlough19972017Retired
62.Alice MahonHalifax19872005Retired. Died in 2022
63.Judy MallaberAmber Valley19972010Lost seat to Conservative Nigel Mills
64.Christine McCaffertyCalder Valley19972010Retired
65.Siobhain McDonaghMitcham and Morden1997
66.Anne McGuireStirling19972015Retired
67.Shona McIsaacCleethorpes19972010Lost seat to Conservative Martin Vickers
68.Rosemary McKennaCumbernauld and Kilsyth/Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East19972010Retired
69.Gillian MerronLincoln19972010Lost seat to Conservative Karl McCartney. Ennobled as Baroness Merron of Lincoln in 2021.
70.Laura MoffattCrawley19972010Retired
71.Margaret MoranLuton South19972010Barred from standing as the Labour candidate
72.Julie MorganCardiff North19972010Lost seat to Conservative Jonathan Evans
73.Estelle MorrisBirmingham Yardley19922005Retired. Ennobled as Baroness Morris of Yardley in 2005.
74.Kali MountfordColne Valley19972010Retired
75.Mo MowlamRedcar19872001Retired. Died in 2005
76.Diana OrganForest of Dean19972005Retired
77.Sandra OsborneAyr/Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock19972015Lost seat to SNP Corri Wilson
78.Linda PerhamIlford North19972005Lost seat to Conservative Lee Scott
79.Bridget PrenticeLewisham East19922010Retired
80.Dawn PrimaroloBristol South19872015Retired. Ennobled as Baroness Primarolo of Windmill Hill in 2015.
81.Joyce QuinGateshead East/Gateshead East and Washington West19872005Retired. Ennobled as Baroness Quin of Gateshead in 2005.
82.Barbara RocheHornsey and Wood Green19922005Lost seat to Liberal Democrat Lynne Featherstone
83.Joan RuddockLewisham Deptford19872015Retired
84.Christine RussellCity of Chester19972010Lost seat to Conservative Stephen Mosley
85.Joan RyanEnfield North1997/20152010/2019Lost seat to Conservative Nick de Bois. Regained seat in 2015. Resigned from the Labour Party and joined Change UK. Retired
86.Debra ShipleyStourbridge19972005Retired
87.Clare ShortBirmingham Ladywood19832010Resigned from the Labour Party and retired
88.Angela SmithBasildon19972010Lost seat to Conservative Stephen Metcalfe. Ennobled as Baroness Smith of Basildon in 2010.
89.Geraldine SmithMorecambe and Lunesdale19972010Lost seat to Conservative David Morris
90.Jacqui SmithRedditch19972010Lost seat to Conservative Karen Lumley
91.Helen SouthworthWarrington South19972010Retired
92.Rachel SquireDunfermline West19922006Died in office
93.Phyllis StarkeyMilton Keynes19972010Lost seat to Conservative Iain Stewart
94.Gisela StuartBirmingham Edgbaston19972017Retired. Ennobled as Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston in 2020.
95.Ann TaylorDewsbury19872005Previously MP for Bolton West (1974–83). Retired. Ennobled as Baroness Taylor of Bolton in 2005.
96.Dari TaylorStockton South19972010Lost seat to Conservative James Wharton
97.Joan WalleyStoke-on-Trent North19872015Retired
98.Claire WardWatford19972010Lost seat to Conservative Richard Harrington
99.Betty WilliamsConwy19972010Retired
100.Rosie WintertonDoncaster Central1997Became a Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons in 2017. Retiring at the end of the 58th Parliament.
101.Audrey WisePreston19872000Previously MP for Coventry South West (1974–79). Died in office

References

  1. ↑ The five absent female Labour MPs were Kate Hoey, Clare Short, Glenda Jackson, Lynne Jones and Julie Morgan.
  2. ↑ All-women shortlists clear new hurdle, BBC News, 21 December 2001 (including iconic photograph of Blair Babes)
  3. 1 2 3 Cooke, Rachel (22 April 2007). "Oh babe, just look at us now". The Observer. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Perkins, Anne; Ward, Lucy (24 May 2001). "The rise and fall of Blair's babes". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  5. 1 2 Mark Inglefield. "A fair cop", The Times, London, 2 September 2000, p. 22
  6. ↑ Better than men, The Guardian, 16 March 2001.
  7. ↑ Sarah Childs (31 July 2004). New Labour's Women MPs: Women Representing Women. Routledge. ISBN 1-135-76616-9.
  8. ↑ Mavin, Sharon; Bryans, Patricia; Cunningham, Rosie (October 2010). "Fed-up with Blair's babes, Gordon's gals, Cameron's cuties, Nick's nymphets : Challenging gendered media representations of women political leaders". Gender in Management. 25 (7). doi:10.1108/17542411011081365. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  9. ↑ "Cherie Blair Really Did Not Like Term 'Blair Babes' Used To Describe Intake Of Female MPs In 1997". HuffPost. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  10. ↑ Maguire, Kevin (17 October 2005). "Village life - Kevin Maguire bids farewell to Blair babes". The New Statesman. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  11. ↑ Sylvia Shaw (28 May 2020). Women, Language and Politics. Cambridge University Press. pp. 58–. ISBN 978-1-107-08088-1. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  12. ↑ "The 'Blair babes': Where are they now?". BBC News. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  13. ↑ Ward, Lucy (2000). "Learning from the "Babe" experience: how the finest hour became a fiasco". In Coote, Anna (ed.). New Gender Agenda: Why Women Still Want More. Institute for Public Policy Research. pp. 23–32. ISBN 9781860301209. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  14. ↑ "Brown knifed by 'Blair Babe'". The Metro. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  15. ↑ "'Blair babe' lashes out at PM". News 24. 8 May 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  16. ↑ "Yvette Cooper: 'Blair Babe' is now among party's brightest prospects". Yorkshire Post. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  17. ↑ Walker, Tim (30 September 2009). "Barbara Follett, the original Blair babe, 'preparing to quit the Commons'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  18. ↑ Elliott, Francis (21 July 2013). "Sex and booze tales set to make 'Blair babe' cross the floor". The Independent. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  19. ↑ Leapman, Ben. "Blair Babe dumped and replaced by gay man". Evening Standard. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  20. ↑ "Drink kills 'disgraced' Blair Babe". The Times. 5 February 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  21. ↑ Price, Karen (5 February 2007). "Widower's grief over 'Blair babe' death". Wales Online. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  22. ↑ "The rise and rise of 'Blair Babe' Ruth". Bolton News. 16 December 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2021.

Further reading

Look up blair babe in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

See also

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