Conservative MP Nick Fletcher
(Picture: Parliament TV)A Tory MP has denied suggesting women playing ‘male’ characters pushes young men into crime after he was comprehensively roasted for making comments that appeared to say just that.
Nick Fletcher was roundly mocked on social media following his speech at an International Men’s Day debate in which he appeared to link male crime to female actors replacing ‘male’ roles like Doctor Who and James Bond, while making a point about a ‘lack’ of positive male role models on TV and in films.
For context, here’s his comments transcribed:
“Everywhere, not at least within the cultural sphere, there seems to be a call from a tiny, yet very vocal minority, that every male character or good role model must have a female replacement.
“One only needs to look at the discussions surrounding who will play the next James Bond. And it’s not just James Bond.
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“In recent years, we have seen Doctor Who, Ghostbusters, Luke Skywalker, the Equaliser, all replaced by women, and men are left with the Krays [twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray] and Tommy Shelby [from Peaky Blinders].”
“Is there any wonder we are seeing so many young men committing crime?
“These programmes make crime look cool.”
Seems pretty clear to us but since then Fletcher has claimed his comments were “misconstrued”.
In a statement he said:
— Nick Fletcher MP (@NickFletcherMP) November 25, 2021
“My rather nuanced point that there are increasingly fewer positive male role models for young boys was almost immediately misconstrued.
“My point was, in fact, a straightforward one and in no way linked Dr Who being a female to crime being committed by men.
“As has been alleged rather lazily by several individuals, I did not link a Dr Who being female to crime being committed by men. In fact I was making a statement that boys and young men also need positive role models within the media, just as women do.”
But reacting to the statement, people roasted him again, as - whether it was just a case of bad wording or not - he did appear to link male crime to an increasing number of female characters.
But you did link them. It’s in the video. You did! Unless the phrase “it it any wonder” means “and in a complete non-sequitur, have you ever noticed how’
— Rachel Parris (@rachelparris) November 25, 2021
“I once drew a direct causal link between Doctor Who’s fanny and crime rates amongst young men, then tried to make out like everyone who saw the video was imagining things.” pic.twitter.com/writkbAn6Z
— Max Morgan 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@SpillerOfTea) November 25, 2021
I honestly feel like I am reading some Conservative version of The Onion.
— Gina Martin (@ginamartinuk) November 26, 2021
The Shallot. https://t.co/qAZZf312fQ
that thing you heard me say never actually happened https://t.co/gIPgF1c23H
— Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) November 26, 2021
*sighs loudly, closes eyes and pinches bridge of nose*
— Amanda Abbington (@CHIMPSINSOCKS) November 26, 2021
‘fuck’s sake Nick…’
*shows Nick the video* https://t.co/ZLF4C3UL1t
The mess continues.
