Deputy Leader of Welsh Labour and MP for Swansea East Carolyn Harris has been criticised for wearing a leather jacket to PMQs.
The Welsh MP has been criticised for ‘dressing too casually’ in the House of Commons (Image: Getty)
An MP has sparked outrage online after attending Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) dressed in a leather jacket.
Carolyn Harris, the deputy leader of Welsh Labour, stood to ask a question to Prime Minister Keir Starmer while wearing the leather jacket and a T-shirt.
Parliament’s guidance to MPs on dress states: “Dress should also demonstrate respect for the House and for its central position in the life of the nation.
“There is no exact dress code: usual business dress is suggested as a guide.”
Some casual items are explicitly banned, such as jeans and sandals. While leather jackets are not prohibited, many people online have expressed dismay at the MP’s choice of attire.
Carolyn Harris is the MP for Swansea East (Image: Getty)
One user wrote: “WTF is MP Caroline [sic] Harris wearing? Men have to wear suits, shirts and ties – where’s the parity?”
Ms Harris hit back at the criticism, arguing that comments from men regarding what women should and should not wear take their toll on female MPs.
She told Express.co.uk: “This wouldn’t be a problem if I was a man, nobody would take any notice.”
She continued: “Women… have to deal with these kind of comments all too often.”
Ms Harris also defended her decision to use her opportunity to put a question to the Prime Minister to raise awareness of her ‘Everyone Deserves a Christmas’ campaign which aims to “create over 1400 food hampers across South Wales full of staples like cheese, meat, vegetables and added goodies like pudding, chocolate and crackers.”
The campaign is set to rival leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey’s attempts to reach number one in the charts at Christmas with a single of their own.
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She asked: “Today question three but who knows, next week I could be number one in the charts.
“As the first MP this year to bring out a Christmas single, will the Prime Minister join me in thanking my musical collaborator and everyone involved with this year’s ‘everyone deserves’ hamper campaign?”
Ms Harris believes that the setting was perfect for drawing attention to her campaign to help the people of South Wales over Christmas.
She said: “I am lucky enough to have access to Sir Keir to put issues before him when I need to.
“But since asking the question this afternoon, we have seen an increase in those reaching out to us for help this Christmas so it was well worth doing.”
Everyone Deserves a Christmas aims to providing food hampers worth £50 each filled with Christmas essentials across South Wales
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