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Original poster

Lord Patel/Karen Jones thread - anyone want to go to House of Lords to talk to Lord Patel

111 replies

GColdtimer · 12/03/2018 20:46

Does anyone remember this thread?

Well, I wrote to Lord Patel to ask him why he had invited a violent rapist and attempted murderer to talk to the House of Lords (about the rights of transgender people). He has invited me tot he House of Lords to share my concerns!

I am in shock. The dates he has sent I can't do, I am also sure there are other people who would do a far better job than me. Anyone fancy going in my place??

OP posts:
rowdywoman1 · 12/03/2018 20:51

Twofalls
That's a great opportunity.
Maybe Posie might be interested? (just a thought)
Can I suggest that you 'screen' whoever is interested - sorry to be paranoid but make sure that it is an 'established ' poster?

rowdywoman1 · 12/03/2018 20:52

Would he accept a couple of people in your place? There are lots of articulate women on here who could explain things eloquently.
Well done for writing!

Original poster
GColdtimer · 12/03/2018 20:55

Thanks Rowdy, I am going to ask if someone could go in my place. I have a totally mental March and April workwise but could make the time if necessary. However, its such a fantastic opportunity I am sure there are women here who would do a better job than me (not imposter syndrome, just a fact!).

And yes, would need to screen to make sure established poster!

OP posts:
SmurfOrTerf · 12/03/2018 20:57

I nominate Datun

rowdywoman1 · 12/03/2018 20:57

Datun would be brilliant!

Somerville · 12/03/2018 21:01

Well done on such an effective letter twofalls my dear.
Will he let you just nominate someone else in your place? Is taking someone with you a strategy that might stop it falling through?

There are some really eloquent and impassioned women on here who know all the facts and I'm sure could make the most of the opportunity.
But I really think you could, too, if you can manage the logistics. Smile

Original poster
GColdtimer · 12/03/2018 21:05

Thanks Somerville Smile. I am going to write, thank him for the invitation and say I am trying to juggle things to make the logistics work. I will also ask if someone else could attend in my place if I am unable to make it. Whatever happens I will not let the opportunity pass!

OP posts:
LastGirlOnTheLeft · 12/03/2018 21:09

Two...wow, you are brilliant! Such an inspirational woman! Thank you!!!

picklemepopcorn · 12/03/2018 21:16

Well done you! I hope someone really articulate is able to do you proud!

DNAnotGRA · 12/03/2018 21:21

Datun

LittleLebowski · 12/03/2018 21:25

Wow! Result twofalls, well done! Star

Certainly Datun would be a confident, very clued-up and articulate person to speak to Lord Patel.

So glad that you got a response.

SmurfOrTerf · 12/03/2018 21:25

I've pm'd Datun

TheMonstrousRegiment · 12/03/2018 21:27

I'd love if Datun could go too. Her posts are always so incredibly informative and well articulated. She peaked me when I first arrived in MN FC. Is it a private meet? Don't want anyone to be 'outed'.

LastGirlOnTheLeft · 12/03/2018 21:27

Darin is our great hope!!👍👍👍👍

LastGirlOnTheLeft · 12/03/2018 21:29

DATUN ffs!! No idea who Darin is! Apart from the long dead Bobby Darin!

Riverside2 · 12/03/2018 21:33

I would be surprised if they let someone else attend
But even if they do, I think it's well worth juggling anything that's possible in order to go
Also can you take a guest? That might be a good way to get different points across in what I'm guessing will be a fairly short appointment.

Original poster
GColdtimer · 12/03/2018 21:35

Thank you, I am not here very often these days but this board has opened my eyes to so many issues I didn't know existed. I don't "know" many people here so suggestions really welcome.

OP posts:
Datun · 12/03/2018 21:51

twofalls

If you can, you should absolutely go. I'm more than happy to join you, for moral support and backup.

It's quite astonishing that anyone should even need an impassioned letter to see the wrong in this.

There is so much about all these issues that goes without saying. Then when people question you, you're sometimes on the back foot because you have what the fuck man why don't you get this?

Whatever it is you said in your letter, clearly struck a chord.

Can you copy and paste your email?

ReluctantCamper · 12/03/2018 21:56

fabulous work twofalls!

Datun · 12/03/2018 22:02

twofalls

You could also ask him to attend the 'We need to talk about the GRA' meeting in the House of Commons on Wednesday. That might be a good introduction for him.

Somerville · 12/03/2018 22:03

TwoFalls and Datun sounds like a dream team for this.

Original poster
GColdtimer · 12/03/2018 22:04

Thank you Daturn! I really appreciate that. I need to sleep on it and give it some thought. I will PM you. My email is here, much of it is paraphrased from the original thread so I have lots of MNers to thank.

Dear Lord Patel,

I read with dismay your decision to invite someone convicted of the manslaughter of one man and the serious assault and attempted rape of a woman to talk to the House of Lords. She served just one year for killing her partner and then was out for just 5 days before her hatred of women drove her to attempt to destroy the life of another. She is a convicted sex offender and was described by the judge at the time as posing an 'extremely serious risk' to the public. You say that she has paid her debt to society. From what I can see she served just 12 months for taking someone’s life and despite being jailed for life in 2003 served very little time for punching a woman, stuffing a lemon in her mouth and attempting to rape her. This woman thought she was going to die, can you imagine what she has to live with every day of her life. Ask her victims if they feel she has served her debt to society – the woman she tried to rape, the family of the man she killed. Not only do the victims of this person have to deal with the fact their lives were worth so little to the judiciary, they have to suffer once more as you gave her a platform at the House of Lords. The appalling lack of respect shown is frankly astounding.

This decision is highly offensive to rape survivors, it's offensive to genuine trans-people as it is not representative of them, and its offensive to me as a woman. Have you considered that there are trans people in prison who aren’t rapists that could have talked to the House of Lords. Maybe even non-violent transmen who could share their views about whether they want to be automatically locked up with men?

On a secondary but no less important note, the whole case is an example of a male bodied person living in a women's safe space who then goes on to commit violence against a woman which gives me grave concern for the concept of self-identification.

I am quite frankly appalled at the decision to give this person a voice and saddened by the lack of regard the labour party seem to have for women.

I have copied the Women and Equalities Committee here as well as my MP Layla Moran.

Yours sincerely,

OP posts:
LizzieSiddal · 12/03/2018 22:04

How absolutely fantastic that you wrote that letter!

Please go if you can and take someone with you for moral support.

LizzieSiddal · 12/03/2018 22:07

Bloody hell twofall that’s such a powerful letter.

AndhowcouldIeverrefuse · 12/03/2018 22:08

That was a good e-mail twofalls. You raised a lot of issues.

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