Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin celebrated the ‘boys and men’ of her family during a passionate debate in the House of Commons about the struggles of today’s males. Veteran journalist Peter Gruner reports.
Former local schoolteacher Martin, a mother of three boys, called for everyone to recognise the important roles men had in our lives and community.
Martin was elected in July 2024 after winning the seat from former Conservative Leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt.
She spoke out after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer revealed he was so concerned about toxic masculine behaviour influencing young males that he had contacted former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate for his views. Conservative MP Nick Fletcher even suggested a Minister for Men.
Amanda told the parliamentary debate: ‘I want to start with celebrating my dad, Terry, my brother Lee, partner Robin, all brilliant and fantastic role models and hugely important to me my family and friends.’
She also wanted to celebrate her three beautiful sons. ‘I say to them, “As you make your way in this changing world, you make me proud every day with your openness, kindness, humour, and love and respect for each other and for those around you. I love you boys”.’
Martin added that every man has faced challenges, ‘be it school or workplace bullying, health conditions, disability, bereavement from illness or suicide, or loneliness.’ The difference is that her boys had each other and, crucially, they felt able to talk and to ask for help, but too many men do not. ‘The statistics are stark: one in five men does not live to 65, more than 5,000 men die by suicide each year, nearly 1 million men are unemployed, and paternity leave is a class issue and works against the self-employed.’
These numbers are not abstract. ‘They are real lives: young men lost in education, and fathers struggling to balance work and family, including some going through break-ups and separation from their kids. They are veterans adjusting to civil life, older men being pushed out of the labour market, and men of all ages wrestling with health worries but determined not to be a burden.’
Martin spoke about how she helped colleagues set up a new Labour group for men and boys. ‘Our purpose is simple: to ensure that this Government build policies and politics that better represent men and boys and, in doing so, to improve outcomes for everyone. We believe in a modern, positive vision of masculinity that strengthens rather than undermines gender equality.
‘Men feel that their identity has been shaken by rapid change and feel that so much of life is out of their control. They mistrust politics and politicians, and in that vacuum toxic, dominance-based narratives can gain ground, so it is important that we as a Government have their back. We need to offer hope, be inclusive and offer a story of what British manhood should be built on: pride, purpose, belonging and trust.
‘Supporting men and boys is not a zero-sum game. It is about listening, acting and rebuilding trust. This Labour Government are already taking action. We have abolished exploitative zero-hours contracts, raised the minimum wage and launched England’s first ever men’s health strategy. We are reforming apprenticeships, delivering pride in place investments and strengthening communities.’
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