Conservative MP Claire Coutinho has strongly refuted suggestions that her recent promotion to shadow business secretary was a "woke" appointment, asserting it was based on merit. The criticism came from former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman, who implied the move was a progressive symbol rather than recognition of merit.
Coutinho, 41, who is currently on maternity leave with her second child and is expected back in January, responded to Harman's comments on X, formerly Twitter. "The left don't think a pregnant woman can be promoted on merit, only as a symbol of 'progressiveness'," Coutinho stated. "I may be growing some feet and eyeballs, but my brain is just fine. Glad to be a Conservative because we don't define women by their maternity status."
Harman, a prominent women's rights campaigner, had remarked on Sky's Electoral Dysfunction podcast that she would be awarding Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader who made the appointment, a "Woke Badge" for promoting Coutinho while she was on maternity leave. "That's a very woke thing to do… I never thought I'd see the day, especially in the Conservative Party," Harman added.
Joy Morrissey, shadow women and equalities secretary, also defended Coutinho, highlighting her business experience and contrasting it with Labour's perceived lack of it. Ruth Davidson, a former Scottish Conservative leader and presenter of the podcast, also challenged Harman, suggesting that women in the Conservative party often face dismissal if they are not the "right type of woman" in Harman's view.
Coutinho was appointed shadow business secretary earlier this week as part of a reshuffle by Kemi Badenoch. Coutinho replaced Andrew Griffith, who moved to become shadow chancellor. Coutinho, a former investment banker, has served as the Member of Parliament for East Surrey since 2019. Andrew Bowie succeeded her as shadow energy secretary.