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“The lady’s not for turning.” It’s a Thatcher reference.

Otherwise we’ll have to cancel Bernard. A pity.

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Not sure there’s a lot to compare Ardern and Thatcher, other than they’re both female. But yes, no need to cancel Bernard, pointing out little things that can be reflected on isn’t cancelling :)

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Much appreciated. I'm in trouble if my own subscribers cancel me.

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You need to be more direct Bernard. Too much concern about upsetting people. Your site, your language. If folk don’t like it they can leave. It’s quite liberating when you don’t give a rats ass. Be honest, be critical. No Chamberlain appeasement

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Ironic, as I am sure you appreciate.

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I had the same reaction. If they were both men would the line have been written that way? Especially with the ‘turning’ part added, which was recently used to describe Liz Truss.

Sorry Bernard, my training in sociolinguistics meant this put up red flags for me.

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Fair points. Hadn't considered that.

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Thanks Kirsten. I was trying to be a bit literary and harking back to Thatcher's 'The lady's not for turning.' Maybe it fell a bit flat.

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Yeah. I guess "ladies" and "lady" may be words that kind of feel different when women use them about themselves. Interesting.

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