'I was promoted on merit': Tory MP's fury after Harriet Harman says it was 'woke' to give her key shadow cabinet job during maternity leave

A senior Conservative MP, Claire Coutinho, expressed outrage after former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman accused the party of being “woke” for appointing her to a key shadow cabinet position while she was on maternity leave. Coutinho, who was promoted to shadow business secretary earlier this week, took to social media to challenge Harman’s remarks, insisting she had been chosen based on merit rather than political symbolism. Coutinho, 41, is currently pregnant with her second child and is on maternity leave until January. Her role will be temporarily covered by Julia Lopez until the new year. Harman, known for her longstanding advocacy for women’s rights, criticized the promotion during an interview on Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast, suggesting that the decision reflected a progressive agenda. She referred to the move as giving Kemi Badenoch, a prominent figure within the Conservative Party, a “Woke Badge” for promoting Coutinho while she was away from work due to pregnancy. In response, Coutinho dismissed Harman’s comments as revealing a lack of trust in the ability of pregnant women to contribute meaningfully to politics. On X, she wrote: “How revealing. The left don’t think a pregnant woman can be promoted on merit, only as a symbol of ‘progressiveness.’ I may be growing some feet and eyeballs, but my brain is just fine.” She emphasized her pride in being a Conservative, stating that the party does not define women by their maternity status. Shadow women and equalities secretary Joy Morrissey echoed Coutinho’s sentiment, praising the appointment as a positive step. She noted that Coutinho brings valuable business experience, something Morrissey claimed Labour lacked in abundance, and pointed out that for Labour, the promotion amounted to “even promoting a pregnant woman.” Harman’s remarks were also challenged by the podcast’s host, former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson. She remarked: “You never give us enough credit Harriet, actually women get on quite well in the Conservative party but it’s always the wrong type of woman for you.” Davidson’s comment underscored the broader debate over how women are perceived and treated within different political parties. The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of a major reshuffle within the Conservative leadership. Coutinho replaced Andrew Griffith as shadow business secretary following his appointment as shadow chancellor. The former investment banker has represented East Surrey as an MP since 2019 and previously held roles within the Conservative Party. Her successor in the shadow energy secretary role was Andrew Bowie, who stepped into the position after Coutinho’s departure. The timing of the appointment coincided with a new poll released by More in Common, which showed shifting voter preferences. The poll revealed that 26 percent of voters plan to support Labour, a slight decline indicating that the so-called “Burnham bounce”, a surge in Labour support following Keir Starmer’s election as leader, is beginning to plateau. Meanwhile, the Conservatives gained ground, reaching 23 percent, marking their highest level of support since early 2025. Reform UK remained in third place with 22 percent, its lowest level of support in nearly 18 months. The Liberal Democrats held 11 percent, closely followed by the Greens at 9 percent. Restore Britain, a hardline faction competing with Reform UK, secured just 4 percent.