Who to vote for as a feminist

Yes it's silly to vote based on an issue you feel strongly about

Thanks tewi for that link

Green all the way

Labour for general elections.
Green / Labour for Mayoral, local and EU elections.

I think to not vote Green just because of their stance on prostitution, if you agree with their other policies is a bit silly tbh.

Green for the first time ever! Used to be Labour but they don't seem to stand for anything now.

AFAIK some of the Edinburgh "saunas" are still operating without a licence. And AFAIK there have been no confirmed cases of trafficking within them

I'm not sure what your correction is meant to add. I'm perfectly aware, as I'm sure most posters here are, that 2 women working out of a house constitutes a brothel.

Edinburgh Council used until recently flout this by licensing "saunas" and turning a blind eye to what everyone knew were brothels. It was a disgraceful policy which eventually became untenable because of the problems of trafficking.

I am not in favour of the Nordic model. I don't realistically think making prostitution illegal is achievable but I see no need to promote anything which makes it easier.

"Selling sex is legal in the UK. Running a brothel, pimping and soliciting are not."

Selling sex is only legal if the prostitute is alone. If she is working within a brothel (any establishment including private homes/flats where 2 or more are selling sex) then she is committing a crime- this is also the case with the Nordic model. Under decriminalisation however, prostitutes are not arrested for working together.

Buying sexual services from another adult in GB is legal.

Selling sex is legal in the UK. Running a brothel, pimping and soliciting are not.

To get back to the question if I lived in England in a seat where there was any possibility of UKIP winning I'd vote for the party most likely to make sure UKIP didn't win. Keeping UKIP out is a feminist act. Otherwise probably Labour.

As I don't live in England this will not be a concern. As I do live in Scotland then I will vote for whichever party in my constituency is most likely to defeat the SNP. That has nothing to do with feminism. I just loathe the SNP.

TeWi That is a really helpful breakdown, thanks.

Wouldn't it be better to put gender aside and vote based on policies?

That was my point.
But as the UK votes for MPs, it might make more sense for the OP to think of her own candidates rather than the party in general.

*the Green party

"They are also very supportive of gay rights.
Is that supposed to be bad?
Or was it presented as counterbalance to their stance on prostitution?"

That's good, and their stance on prostitution is also good. Which is partly why I intend to vote for them.

"so that Parliament gets the most female MPs as possible."

Is this what it's all about getting as many females as possible? Just because an MP is female doesn't mean you are going to agree with everything she says and advocates for (for example there is a massive number of female MPs and MSPs who don't support the Nordic Model).

Wouldn't it be better to put gender aside and vote based on policies?

They are also very supportive of gay rights.
Is that supposed to be bad?
Or was it presented as counterbalance to their stance on prostitution?

As a feminist, vote according to who presents the best propositions in many terms, including the economy, health, education, and human rights. Not necessarily on who is the most Feminist or has more women.

Alternatively, you should vote for the best female candidate in your constituency, so that Parliament gets the most female MPs as possible.

This link a bit biased (naturally, though I think theu tried not to be!) but I read it the other day and thought it was quite a good breakdown of specific feminist policies.
I was really surprised by how many really good policies Labour have relating to women, and I'm pretty sure I will vote labour this time. It'll be the first time I've voted for them.

Blog linky: thejarbelles.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/votes-for-women-2-electoral-boogaloo/

You do realize buying and selling sexual services is currently legal in GB? (between consenting adults indoors except for brothels)

You haven't been here long, have you?

I actually didn't notice it's on feminist chat...

I don't think there's a broad feminist position on cannabis.

Thanks crispy, that is good to know and think about.

I think there was a bit of an over-reaction to the "calm down dear" comment, but I also hope Cameron will be going out.

If you disagree with a single greens policy, they decide them democratically, at the agm I believe(?) so you can join and vote against something you disagree with.

I'm not a Green Party member, and I don't have any strong views on whether prostitution should or should not be decriminalised. Just thought it might be useful to know!

Another one who wishes she could vote for Stella Creasy! But I don't live in Walthamstow. Greens have the best feminist policies and women in charge. I don't know how any woman could vote for "calm down dear" Cameron.