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Original poster

Conservatives not on board with transgender policy

41 replies

busyboysmum · 16/04/2018 15:25

grassrootsconservatives.org.uk/news/permalink/2017-10/concerns-mount-over-greening-s-transgender-policy

Concerns continue to mount among Tory activists over Justine Greening’s “deeply unconservative” transgender policy that they describe as a “disturbing ideology”.

Grassroots conservatives, which champions the rights and views of ordinary members, believe the policy, which is being pushed through could cause “unfathomable” suffering to the vulnerable.
So concerned are the group about Government plans, that they have taken the unusual step of writing an open letter to the Party’s 317 Members of Parliament.

This is the first significant policy intervention by Grassroots conservatives since the General Election. It follows the release of a poll of 550 Conservative councillors, conducted by ComRes last month that found activists wanted the party to abandon this policy, which was seen as out of step with the Party membership and a vote loser, and concentrate on securing a good Brexit and the economy.

Transgender reforms and unisex toilets in schools are seen as toxic by more than half of respondents.

OP posts:
RosenbergW · 16/04/2018 17:08

I keep wondering if the whole thing was a deliberate ploy to draw the other parties into declaring in favour of trans politics, so to make them unelectable.

But the Conservatives don't seem smart enough to have planned this?

Winewinewinegin · 16/04/2018 16:36

We also have the benefit of so many brave, compassionate, articulate women on mumsnet and beyond who care about equality for both women and trans people.

Some of the brilliant quotes on the Re:Sisters twitter feed are a great illustration of this.

There are lots of people who see this is a complex issue, that it needs to be discussed, and who fully support gay rights too.

RedToothBrush · 16/04/2018 16:23

It would be such a shame for all sides for the debate to become red vs blue. I hope it can shift to how do we make policy that considers everyone's needs.

It didn't in America in 2016.

It was actively used as a political strategy. We are merely seeing a repeat here. Though we do have the benefit of being able to see that in retrospect and Uk politics are a slightly different animal, it doesn't however mean we won't fall into the same trap which has been tried and tested.

Winewinewinegin · 16/04/2018 16:20

As for Labour, this only acts as a polarizer. It will be spun as Tories who are like those who were homophobic, in a ploy to win liberal votes. You are either a conservative or you support us and our policy. Etc etc.

This would certainly highlight the extremes of the argument. It would also create an opportunity for visibility for the wide range of different people who are pro trans and women's rights to raise their points. Lesbians, feminists, socialist activists, concerned parents, people who have worked with vulnerable groups and are clearly not homophobic.

It would be such a shame for all sides for the debate to become red vs blue. I hope it can shift to how do we make policy that considers everyone's needs.

Winewinewinegin · 16/04/2018 16:05

Surely that should be Conservatives concerned that women's rights be upheld while also creating policy that provides a safe and reapectful place for trans people.

It bemuses me how the language is all written as anti one group's rights, when actually concerns expressed (certainly here) are all about protecting women and children's rights.

I guess it just got missed out at the start because people didn't realise the impact, and the language will begin to swing around.

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 16/04/2018 16:03

Sorry - That's encouraging. Thanks busy.

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 16/04/2018 16:03

Tha

TurningWood · 16/04/2018 16:01

I am beginning to wonder if the political horseshoe met up and created a circle, with all parties now on the right!

Self-ID is right wing.

Then you have Nick Griffin and co cheering on the Labour party with Corbyns brother posting Alex Jones -right wing conspiracy theory shouty man- videos.

OvaHere · 16/04/2018 15:50

Explains the recent Tory back tracking then.

Trumpdump · 16/04/2018 15:48

I always found it odd that the conservatives got the ball rolling on this. It really won't be popular with their core voters.

RedToothBrush · 16/04/2018 15:44

Thats dated October. Its not new. I wonder if that influenced Greening getting sacked?

As for Labour, this only acts as a polarizer. It will be spun as Tories who are like those who were homophobic, in a ploy to win liberal votes. You are either a conservative or you support us and our policy. Etc etc.

TurningWood · 16/04/2018 15:37

Maria Miller didn't do her job properly, then made this mess.

ReluctantCamper · 16/04/2018 15:35

This is good actually as I'm going to meet my Tory mp on this, so very helpful, thank you.

Original poster
busyboysmum · 16/04/2018 15:33

just stumbled upon it and thought it was interesting. Presumably that's why it's all gone quiet regarding the Conservatives' proposed reforms to the GRA. Their own party are not on side at all.

OP posts:
ReluctantCamper · 16/04/2018 15:33

Looks like sanity is prevailing somewhere then. I always thought this was a cynical attempt to look more woke than Labour. Without a downside if you only listen to the trans lobby and assume feminists are stupid and prejudiced.

Now it's starting to look toxic the tories will quietly drop it. Not their sort of thing at all.

DairyisClosed · 16/04/2018 15:26

Thanks for the news report?