A senior Tory struck Harriet Harman today after the former Labor deputy leader proposed Kemi Badenoch was ‘woke up‘ to promote her while she is on maternity leave.
Claire Coutinho said she was appointed shadow business secretary ‘on merit’ earlier this week, after Baroness Harman mocked the move in an interview.
Ms Coutinho, 41, is pregnant with her second child and is on maternity leave until January. Julia Lopez will continue in her role until the new year.
Harman, a long run women’s rights campaigner, told Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast she would present Ms Badenoch with a ‘Woke Badge’ for promoting the former shadow energy secretary.
‘That’s a very woke thing to do… I never thought I’d see the day, especially in the Conservative Partyshe added.
Ms Coutinho hit back at X, saying: “How revealing. The left doesn’t think a pregnant woman can be promoted based on merit, but only as a symbol of “progressive.”
“I might get some feet and eyeballs, but my brain is fine. I’m happy to be conservative because we don’t define women by their pregnancy status.”
And shadow women and equalities secretary Joy Morrissey added: “Claire Coutinho is a brilliant appointment as shadow business secretary with real business experience, something that Labor lacks in abundance.
“But for Labor that amounts to ‘even promoting a pregnant woman’.”
Claire Coutinho said she was appointed shadow business secretary ‘on merit’ earlier this week, after Baroness Harman mocked the move in an interview.
Harman told Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast that she would present Ms Badenoch with a ‘Woke Badge’ for promoting the former shadow energy secretary while she is on maternity leave
The Labor leader was also called out by the podcast’s host, former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson.
“You never give us enough credit, Harriet. Women can actually get on quite well in the Conservative party, but it’s always the wrong type of woman for you,” she said.
Ms Coutinho replaced Andrew Griffith as shadow business secretary in Ms Badenoch’s reshuffle on Monday after he became shadow chancellor.
The former investment banker has been MP for East Surrey since 2019 and previously worked for the Conservative Party.
Former shadow Scotland secretary Andrew Bowie succeeded her as shadow energy secretary.
It came as another poll the Conservatives push Reform UK into third place for the first time since January last year.
The latest More in Common survey found that 26 percent of voters planned to vote in favor Workone point lower, a sign that the so-called ‘Burnham bounce’ is already stagnating.
Mrs Badenoch‘S Conservative party is in second place with 23 percent, an increase of one point.
Reform Britain stands at 22 percent, down one point, the lowest level of support in 18 months.
The Lib Dems, meanwhile, are at just 11 percent, followed closely by the Democrats Green Party at 9 percent.
More in Common found Restore Britain, Reform UK’s tough competitor, founded by MP Rupert Lowe, at 4 percent.
