Women cannot be used as window dressing

The phrase of using women as "window dressing" will resonate well beyond this extraordinary week in politics - and may well haunt members of the current Cabinet.
If, as Caroline Flint sets out, in her very angry resignation letter, women attending cabinet have been used to make a show of a gender-balanced cabinet where none existed, this is an appalling state of affairs for a Labour government in the 21st century.
This "attending cabinet" status was rather woolly and appeared to be used initially to allow Yvette Cooper cabinet status as housing minister when salaried places were full up.
But latterly others have been given this status including Beverley Hughes and Tessa Jowell.
If, as Flint alleges, this was to give a show of having women in Cabinet in these modern times, without actually giving them a proper role, or power, or even allowing them to attend meetings, then this is a very poor state for a Labour government which supports the idea of equality.
However, at this stage it is hard to seperate what is an outpouring of anger on Flint's behalf as she is denied a Cabinet role, which she obviously felt she had been promised or deserved..and the truth of this allegation.
When the anger has dissipated, it will be time to look clearly at roles in politics and any gender discrimination.
There is no point in any organisation creating a "board" giving women senior roles and then denying them real power.
I would like to believe that the government would never do that.

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