Page 3607 - Week 11 - Thursday, 23 October 2014

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I think this is a concerning trend. We have seen Mrs Jones this year expressing her distress at perceived sexism when cabinet ministers in estimates rolled their eyes at her questioning in the estimates process. To see these sorts of things appearing in the public discourse comes as a very surprising thing in that context.

I accept that Mr Meikle, for example, does not like my politics, or perhaps does not even like me. That is simply not the point. That sort of language has no place in a modern public discourse. It makes for an unsafe space. It means those people who might be considering coming into public life will be turned off by the prospect of facing that sort of personal commentary. I accept that politics is robust, but I think even in politics people should not resort to that sort of crass and unnecessarily sexual language. These recent examples are opportunities for us all to stop and reflect on how we want to go forward and what is an appropriate standard in public life.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.50 pm until Tuesday, 28 October 2014, at 10 am.

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