Guess how I got suspended from the Labour Party?

[IAmDavidLewis]

Well, one of the weirdest days in my life concluded with me receiving a letter informing me of my immediate suspension from the Labour Party. They believe I may have breached the rules by subverting the intention of All Women Shortlists, Women’s Officers or minimum quotas for women. Unfortunately, this does mean that my political ambitions are on hold for a while. I shall of course be continuing to self-identify as a woman every Wednesday, as that is my gender identity...

I have to say a huge thanks to @namechangeah for all her help, guidance and, more importantly, proof-reading! I wouldn’t have gotten to this point without it. I’d also like to thank everyone for their support today. I hope this has helped a bit.

And the Telegraph called me an “activist”! Achievement unlocked

[NotTerfNorCis]

Hi David welcome to Mumsnet! Thanks for taking a stand!

[spontaneousgiventime]

There are a couple of threads about your achievements today here and here. I don't think I would be going overboard in saying you are today's 'shero'.

[namechangeah]

Thankyou @IAmDavidLewis you have had an interesting day!

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I genuinely ndont understand how they can do that? They have clearly stated that they accept anyone who self identifies as a woman as a woman.

Who are they to state that your gender identity is not true?!

As an aside I'm very impressed at the speed of your suspension

[AnduinsGirl]

David Lewis I never post on the Feminist boards as I have a ton to learn at the moment, but I wholeheartedly salute you for this!

[Terfing]

Hi David! Thanks for the laughs today.

I'm looking forward to seeing how your story pans out. Surely Labour won't discriminate against the gender-fluid?

Out of interest, what is your female name on a Wednesday?

[Badgerthebodger]

Welcome! And thank you for your fantastic idea. I have to ask how the hell they can suspend you for that reason when they are quite happy with other people self-identifying as women? Surely if that’s the rule then it applies to everyone. Are the Labour Party finally getting terfy? Who are they to say how you feel?

[AgentProvocateur]

I’ve been cheering you on from the sidelines, David(a). I almost feel like joining the Labour Party so I could resign in disgust! Thanks for taking a stand, you subversive PT female!

[colleysmill]

I agree @ItsAllgoingToBeFine.

Makes nonsense of the whole thing - feels very much like one rule for some and another for everyone else. Who are we to even question how someone identifies

[redshoeblueshoe]

So basically they are calling you a liar.
Does that mean they are suspending everyone ?

[Sunkisses]

Huge well done David for highlighting the absurdity of self-identification. What is difference between you and Pippa Bunce (the banker who comes to work sometimes as Pippa and sometimes as Philip)? What's the difference between you and Eddie Izzard? What's the difference between you and Alex Drummond the Stonewall trans advisor (except that Alex may have a slightly better groomed beard!)? This whole thing is a total nonsense.

[EnthusiasmIsDisturbed]

Well it certainly wasn’t becuase you claimed Hitler was a great supporter of Zionism

Great point you are making

[ToeToToe]

David, I thank you for taking a public stand on this.

Fact is, you were accepted - by Labour's own rules on self ID. You have shown the rules can be abused.

I'm sorry, but not surprised, you were suspended - when certain transactivists stamp their feet, Labour listens.

Women, however, are ignored.

[QuoadUltra]

Hello, David Lewis, it is awesome to have you here with your excellent activism.

Sorry to hear the Labour party suspended you. That seems very quick, given how famously slow they are to act on, say, anti-semitism.

[AsAProfessionalFekko]

Thank you Davina.

[FermatsTheorem]

Hi David, welcome to the coven.

I am very disappointed in Labour - surely your word as a gentlewoman (on Wednesdays) should have been good enough for them. After all, a certain other LP member and women's officer was of an age where their possession of a GRC would be highly unlikely, and the Labour party sportingly took their word for it.

Anyway, hats off for a most amusing and informative protest - and for making the Telegraph.

[Ereshkigal]

I'm sorry, but not surprised, you were suspended - when certain transactivists stamp their feet, Labour listens.

This.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Surely their well-thought out policy couldn't be subverted?

or ?

[poopsqueak]

Which one of you got suspended though? Is female David still a member?

[LangCleg]

Hello David! I'm sure it's been a surreal day but thank you - for doing this for women and also for the laughs!

The Labour Party are in a hole and just won't stop digging. I'm afraid I'm completely out of fucks to give for them.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

In all seriousness though, on what criteria does the Labour Party judge whether someone is genuinely identifying as a woman or not?

[namechangeah]

I think he'll need both Errol!

[myrtleWilson]

Can you appeal your suspension? if you've "subverted" their intention then their intention presumably has some heft to it?

[LangCleg]

Which one of you got suspended though? Is female David still a member?

Genuine LOL!

[ToeToToe]

In all seriousness though, on what criteria does the Labour Party judge whether someone is genuinely identifying as a woman or not? hmm

I believe it's known as the 'Madigan Litmus Test." If Madigan approves, you're in, if not..... out on your arse