Who to vote for as a feminist

None of the parties are going to legalise prostitution. It's a non starter (thankfully) and not a reason I would choose to vote for anyone.

The Greens and Lib Dems support legalisation / decriminalisation of prostitution, principally on an individual liberties basis. I'm definitely not voting for either of them

Have you read their policy on it though? The Green's have a powerful argument - I reacted as you did - until I read their reasons and it made me think.

I'm voting Green!

The word you're scrabbling for, Puffins, is "empowering".

The empowerment of women is generally considered to be a central tenet of feminism. But not, it would seem, in the MN Feminism topics.

True

I'm a huge admirer of Caroline Lucas and Natalie Bennett, which clearly precludes me from critically examining any of their party's policies

Oh, come now, Petula, it was rather kind to get a nice picture for all the politically unaware old women. It's hardly patronising! Especially in light of all the educational posts about how empowerfullising prostitution is. You know we've never discussed it before!

Patronising, nice

And from a feminist perspective, the Greens have Caroline Lucas who (as you may or may not know) once entered parliament wearing a "no more Page 3" t-shirt.

"The Greens want to introduce mega-brothels like they have in Germany"

Source?

Not to mention: "The monarchy will be abolished."

Interesting link. at "Anti-rave laws will be scrapped."

Guaranteed to get Torygraph readers frothing.

This is the Torygraph having a massive hissyfit analysing their policies, but is interesting on the Green party nonetheless
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/green-party/11356354/Drugs-brothels-al-Qaeda-and-the-Beyonce-tax-the-Green-Party-plan-for-Britain.html

I thought you'd said that to the new poster, Yonic?

I must be missing something here.

That was me, didyou. Not Flora. Feel free to report.

"Welcome to Mumsnet" is always a dog whistle for troll hunting.

She didn't ask you if you were a troll though, so, what's the relevance?

Sigh. Troll hunting is against Talk Guidelines.

I think Fayyive is making some very interesting points, and giving useful links.

I can't see any party which pays anything more than lip service to the needs of women voters.

The Greens want to introduce mega-brothels like they have in Germany, which has been very successful in enriching pimps but not much else. Labour and the Tories are fighting over who can be meanest to migrant women. The Lib Dems I don't trust, and they're also keen on the mega-brothels.

Nobody seems to give a toss about

• the gender pay gap
• media objectification of women
• the Nordic model
• representation of women in the corridors of power
• male violence against women

And now we have an anti-feminist party because "feminism's gone too far." The irony.

that was v interesting, thanks zippey

"I side with Green on most political issues" it said, 78%

I also felt it missed out on quite a lot of stuff, despite doing all the 'extra' questions

Zippey's link I got

labour
green
snp (i'm in england though)
lib dems

Not hugely surprised!

What I found really interesting though was that I didn't feel particularly strongly about most of the questions. I know I am a "political person" and am regularly to be found ranting on about stuff.

So either the questions are selected in some way that doesn't mesh with my sort of profile, or maybe this is the reason I am so disillusioned with mainstream political parties? I care about stuff, and strongly, but if that is accurate, very few of the things I care about are on the agenda IYSWIM.

Interesting.

zippey great link - thanks!
I'm voting SNP. I can see the attraction of Green policies but they aren't viable in our area and also, at a local level, the SNP have been more effective and more vocal in championing issues that impact on women and those living in poverty.
I also think the SNP are more likely to implement policies to benefit the disadvantaged and poor at local, national and international level.

I used to vote Labour until the Iraq war.

Then I voted a mix of green/lib dem. Then stuff came out about the lib dems around treatment of women in the party / wanting to reduce age acting in porn to 16 / covering up for sex scandals etc and thought no thanks.

Since then I have voted Green, was a party member for a while, never went to any meetings or anything though

I'm pretty disillusioned with the whole thing really.

There is an idea that voting for a woman (if there is one to vote for) is the feminist action, on the basis that women in general will be more aware of / care more about "women's issues" than men. This means voting for a woman even if it's the "wrong" party. The argument against is well what if it's a woman but she's UKIP / what if it's a woman but she has anti-feminist beliefs eg anti-abortion. I take that point but personally it's an interesting thought. I have noticed a few female Tories coming out strongly with views that I see as feminist over the last couple of years (can't remember what they were now but still!).

Anyway.

I am in a tory stronghold, the MP is a minister and fairly prominent. So not going anywhere. But she's a woman.

So I'll probably just vote green and/or any monster raving loony type options and leave it at that

This is more an environmental issue than feminist but how does a 10% price reduction on buses/trains sound?

www.facebook.com/thegreenparty
(scroll down to post on 6th Jan)