‘Some women should have never left the kitchen’
Exclusive: Reform UK’s vice chairman of West Northamptonshire Council makes sexist remark at International Women’s Day event
By Sarah Ward
The vice chairman of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has apologised after being challenged for making a sexist comment at an International Women’s Day event.
Speaking to Liberal Democrat councillor Farzana Aldridge and some local residents at Northampton’s Guildhall on Saturday, Reform UK’s Cllr Peter York said ‘some women should have never left the kitchen’ in response to comments made about the need for more females in leadership positions.
WNC only has one woman in a cabinet position on the team of ten and accusations of misogyny were levelled at the administration last week by outgoing Reform UK councillor Joanna Blythe who quit the party to go independent.
When challenged about his kitchen comment, Cllr York went on to say there were too many women in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet, singling out former deputy PM Angela Rayner for particular criticism.
After NN Journal contacted him about the incident he has apologised, but says his remarks were taken out of context and council leader Mark Arnull has said ‘it’s a tragic shame that an important occasion such as International Women’s Day is now overshadowed by petulant political games when the public expect better.’
Cllr Aldridge, who is a former head teacher and Ofsted inspector, said:
“I was just having a conversation with him in an informal way and it was a day focused on women’s achievements and so I think it was reasonable to be talking about women having positions of power.
“I was a bit taken aback and I did challenge him on it and he backtracked and was sort of apologetic about it.
“He said ‘Oh you know me Farzana, ‘I sometimes say things’ and to me that was not ok.
“I would have concerns about any councillor across West Northants making statements that were in any way derogatory of women and not respectful. Certainly at an event like that, it was not appropriate.”
Cllr Aldridge, who represents Northampton’s Kingsley and Semilong ward, said she is going to follow the matter up, but had not decided as yet whether she would be putting in a standards complaint.
Former conservative councillor James Hill was in the conversation and was shocked at what he heard.
He said:
“The comments were absolutely disgusting and then he doubled down on it.”
Cllr York, who presented an award at the event, said:
“I’d like to apologise for any offence taken to a comment made at the weekend, that was taken entirely out of context, whilst being provoked by a member of the public, and a councillor from the Liberal Democrat group.”
Laura Wright of Northampton Women’s Empowerment Group was present and after hearing Cllr York’s explanation, she said:
“This is classic DARVO behaviour.”
The acronym stands for Deflect, Attack and Reverse Victim and Offender and is a manipulation tactic used to deflect accountability and shift blame.
She said: “I thought it was a joke until James Hill said ‘are you joking?’ and he [Cllr York] then led up with examples, talking about Keir Starmer’s government.
“I genuinely think he believes what he said.”
In response, WNC leader Cllr Arnull, said:
“Having now investigated the alleged incident involving Cllr York, I am satisfied that this was a result of political point scoring from an opposition member, which is deeply disappointing in itself, given our previously strong working relationship. It’s a tragic shame that an important occasion such as International Women’s Day is now overshadowed by petulant political games when the public expects better.
“Cllr York agrees with me that the comment made at the time, whilst taken out of context, was unacceptable and will not be repeated.”
Last week Cllr Arnull said in response to a call for more women in positions of power in West Northants that residents had rejected ‘toxic identity politics’ and people would be promoted based on ability.
I just received an email from Peterborough Cathedral claiming they have the world's largest dinosaur on display but I think they might have competition
"DARVO behaviour" is a new acronym for me, but a useful one: Deflect, Attack and Reverse Victim and Offender. Not only did Cllr York's explanation display "classic DARVO behaviour", but so did Cllr Arnull's response! When the victim, Cllr Aldridge, called out the offender, Cllr York for his misogyny, Cllr Arnull called it "political point scoring from an opposition member". He literally blamed the victim!
Reform have promised that if they are elected to government they will repeal the Equality Act “on day one”. The act protects women from being discriminated against because they are women. Any woman who votes for Reform is asking to be made a second-class citizen.