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Original poster

Who's going to the WEP Conference this weekend? Fancy a thread?

209 replies

RhymesWithOrange · 04/09/2018 22:22

I'm the only person I know going. I would be interested to get others MNers thoughts on the conference and the agenda as it happens.

And of course the emergency debate.

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arranfan · 08/09/2018 21:32

I don't know how to react to the pay gap Toksvig revealed.

Relative to Fry's filmography (including the popular Holmes films and his roles in US TV drama Bones) - what is Toksvig's profile like?

Similarly for Alan Davies - I realise he is a permanent panelist but how many years now? And I'm a little unclear of his post-Creek TV work.

Of course, if I understood such matters, I'd be able to understand Toksvig's negotiated salary or her agent's negotiations better and whether this is a good example of a gender pay gap or a perceived celebrity/star pay gap. :)

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 08/09/2018 21:25

I really want to get involved, but I can't until they nail their flag to the mast on this issue

This^

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 08/09/2018 21:24

See, reading through this thread makes me realise how many important issues there are facing women at the moment, and how much the WEP could achieve - healthcare, benefits and poverty, work, pay and childcare, getting young girls into sport, etc etc...

And yet.

Absolutely NONE of that is possible if they can't differentiate between women and men-who-think-or-say-they-are-women.

And this is the impasse for me.

I really want to get involved, but I can't until they nail their flag to the mast on this issue.

speakingwoman · 08/09/2018 20:57

Good

Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 20:45

The Guardian picked this up quickly:

www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/08/sandi-toksvig-reveals-60-qi-pay-gap-from-stephen-fry

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Popchyk · 08/09/2018 20:22

It sounds really uplifting.

Do indulge in the wine and comedy. Wine

tiredandweary · 08/09/2018 20:17

Well you've both given it a good write up - and how wonderful to feel energised and inspired by good women. I really am ready to be persuaded.
I recognise that so many have been caught up with this toxic misogynist agenda and I am happy to listen if the WEP is centring women and able to be brave about the current threats. They're not the only political party been gaslighted as we know.
Enjoy your evening both.

Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 20:08

There's both flavours. Lib and rad.

And some men, maybe 10% men?

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 08/09/2018 19:49

very young, freshly minted feminists with their sharp minds and glossy hair

Libfems or radfems? Also are there many men there?

Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 19:36

I would also love reconciliations all round. HEB and WEP, Posie Parker and WPUK.... It's a tough ask for some people but we are so much stronger together. There's more we have in common than divides us. And other political cliches!Grin

What is lovely here is the range of ages. Older women, utterly battle hardened, who have been fighting for us for decades and very young, freshly minted feminists with their sharp minds and glossy hair Grin

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Cwenthryth · 08/09/2018 19:08

I’m just having a freshen up before heading back for social side of things tonight. Don’t really want to share a blow-by-blow account of my day right now but just wanted to say it has been emotionally exhausting and exhilarating in equal measure, overwhelmingly inspirational at times, I’ve been both challenged and supported, and it’s been great. There are so many amazing women here. And a palpable sense that if we can pull together, if we can genuinely do politics differently, we can effect real change for women. And already have done (see home use of abortion pills).

Anyway. Tonight is for comedy and wine. Tomorrow is for business.

arranfan · 08/09/2018 19:03

dreadful treatment of Heather Brunskell Evans than just maybe there's a place for me.

^^ This for me. Tho' there are other issues.

Ereshkigal · 08/09/2018 18:57

The second barrister is NOT the same person who is listed as a supporter of the motion btw.

Thanks Cwen. That's a coincidence then!

tiredandweary · 08/09/2018 18:55

It sounds great Rhymes. But the party is going to have to name that elephant and make it very clear that this is a party for and about women, not men self IDing as women. If Sophie & Sandy can be brave and somehow atone for their dreadful treatment of Heather Brunskell Evans than just maybe there's a place for me.

Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 18:41

I have to say, I came to this conference expecting to feel out of step with the majority, and expecting to be disappointed. But it's been fantastic so far. I believe in Sophie and Sandi. I think the party's made some mistakes but they all have.

I think it's our current best hope. The Tories, Labour, LibDems have all thrown women under buses for decades. Why would I expect anything different from them now?

I know lots of you have left or refuse to joint WEP because of gender id but I'd encourage you to think again. I think there's enough like minds in the party that it could end up the same voice in the whole debate.

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Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 18:03

And that is the end of day 2!

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Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 18:02

Q: Women choosing to be prostitutes?
A: It's not a choice if you can't afford not to. If one woman is on sale then we're all on sale. The notion that sex work is empowering is not borne out by the evidence.

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Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 17:57

Q: What do you say when businesses say that Gender pay gap is not a thing, women make a positive choice to stay at home.
A: It's not a choice if you can't afford to return to work. Businesses have work to do but the Government has a bigger role to play. Businesses should be lobbying government on the structural barriers to equal pay and women's access to the workplace.

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Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 17:52

Q: Why is it the Women's Equality Party? Why not just the equality party?

A: Designing policies for people at the furthest margins. Which are always women. Which makes things better for everyone.

Q: When canvassing - what do you say when people say "I like what you stand for but I vote to keep the Tories out?"

A: [Sorry, difficult to summarise but in essence - problem with FPTP, established parties rely on apathy, cynicism of those parties, voting for them will never change the status quo]

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Cwenthryth · 08/09/2018 17:50

Haven’t got time to catch up properly - but can confirm that Rhymes can type fast Grin

The second barrister is NOT the same person who is listed as a supporter of the motion btw.

Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 17:45

Q: Don't all feminists hate men?

Question usually comes from men afraid of women's anger. It's not their fault. #notallmen

Followed by conversation about intersectionality. Coming to feminism from the perspective of a white, middle class woman gives Sophie challenges.

Applause for hard stance on ending the prostitution of women.

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Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 17:36

Had a nice wrap up with the GC lot.

Now in the last session of the day. "Any Answers" - where Sophie covers the FAQs she's asked.

First question for Sophie:

Q: Why do we need WEP/feminism? Haven't we already got equality?

Interesting stat. The UK has the most expensive childcare in the world.Shock

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R0wantrees · 08/09/2018 16:50

Re the 2004 Act, Quote below b Christine Burns (Press for Change) from Guardian article 2013:

'Much of their campaigning remained on the quiet. The passage of the 2004 law to give trans people legal status was "remarkable," says Burns, because "the government was able to pass an entire act in parliament without anyone throwing a fit in the press".'

www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jan/22/voices-from-trans-community-prejudice

Original poster
RhymesWithOrange · 08/09/2018 16:24

It felt like a very controlled session. Lots of WEP staff in the room. But that could have just been my perception.

OP posts:
speakingwoman · 08/09/2018 16:21

Rhymes, were they trying to pull rank (subtly)?

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