Lily M standing as women's officer again

Like I said, we’re mostly oldies in my group!

I suspect that personally I would’ve advised a newcomer to the area to pipe down a bit and run for the uncontested vice chair instead (although they wouldn’t be obliged to take that advise, of course).

Betty thanks for explaining not all momentum operates like lewishams. Indeed maybe it's just their social media that's gone a bit totalitarian.

Congratulations to Gill, I hope no one makes things difficult for her.

I’m guessing LM’s former CLP is much smaller (Tory MP) and thus they have no official women’s forum for the WO to chair.

Certainly seems that the membership made considered choices and elected capable and clued in women to the roles.

I would love to know how Lewisham Momentum decided to back LM, seeing as Gill is also a member. My Mo group would’ve polled the local membership and if that wasn’t possible due to time restraints, we would’ve probably either issued a statement supporting both/neither and instead encouraged people to participate in the women’s forum to ensure the decision was made democratically (by as many CLP Women as possible).

If Momentum Lewisham members were polled prior to deciding who they would support, they should’ve issued a statement saying so.

Totally agree with @Smeerf’s summing up.

I worry that lil and pals will try to raise merry hell like petulant children refused a second helping of pudding (which will distract the grown ups from real work?).

I also wonder who lil will blame and what the momentum nitwits will say.

X post there @whitershadeofpale - excellent description of the meeting

The turnout was 65 women eligible to vote and one visitor from another CLP. Three candidates stood for GC delegate, of which two were selected. Each voter was permitted to vote for up to two of them. Lily, Ruby and Alice (candidates) each gave a one minute speech prior to the vote.

Lily's speech was read from a card, mainly focusing on previous roles she'd held. She began it by explaining she was only standing for delegate in order to stand for Women's Officer. The other candidates discussed previous work they'd done, campaigning etc, their connection to the area and most importantly to me, what areas they are most interested in focusing on (cost of child care, maternity care etc). It was clear that they were more qualified and the forum voted accordingly.

As a result, Gill was initially unopposed until a woman (Sarah something) nominated herself, stating that she was not prepared and only did so as she disagreed with the idea of someone running unopposed. Her speech was a bit strained and finished with stressing how much she believed in sex workers and trans rights, I assume as a signal to would-be Lily voters to vote for her. Gill won and then Sarah was nominated for vice chair (unopposed).

Gill then ran the rest of the meeting very well, I really think Lily would have struggled as Lily seems so ill at ease with public speaking etc.

There were 66 voters, I haven’t attended before so can’t comment in if that was higher than usual but people seemed to know each other so I wouldn’t imagine there were that many newbies.

There did seem to be a group sitting together that were supportive of Lily. When the chair role came up nobody stood against Gill and we voted her in. Afterwards a woman claimed it had been too rushed and she hadn’t had a chance to speak and say she wanted to stand (this was untrue and people said so), she was given the chance to speak though and gave a rather rambling speech that was clearly off the hoof and spoke about trans rights a fair bit, she was clearly emotional and I personally found it rather odd. There was then a vote and Gill won.

The woman who had decided to stand last minute (Sarah something) was later voted vice chair, but purely as no one else put themselves forward.

Gill went on to chair the rest of the meeting which included a motion about maternity services extremely well and was obviously incredibly capable and knowledgeable.

It wasn’t strained with the one exception I’ve described above and there was no debate around Lily or trans, just quiet, efficient voting.

YAY!!!!!😁😁😁😁😁 I'm so glad that Gill won and that total prick came nowhere.

I know this is mean but

A victory for common sense and for women,

Thank goodness.
This is still makes a mockery of the whole system.

Labour need to look at the bullying that went on here by momentum

Has LM offered their congratulations to Gill yet? Offered 'sisterly' support?

Hurrah!

nor is this practice in anyway confined to Labour - it’s a cross party issue

This is really important to emphasise

(but also, R0 is correct, those that do stand for women’s positions aren’t always/only younger transpeople, nor is this practice in anyway confined to Labour - it’s a cross party issue)

Kay totally agree - my trans friends wouldn’t dream of putting themselves forward to represent women, or compete against women in sports, or take scholarships, bursaries and prizes designed to redress historical sex inequality.

I personally think we should be working towards political representation that is more reflective of modern Britain and that includes transpeople, but simply lumping Transwomen in with women isn’t the appropriate way to do it.

Sounds like the best woman won :)

There are a number of older transsexual women in the Labour Party who have taken places on AWS, Women's Officers, Jo Cox program etc.

Sadly, I don't think its solely an issue of age.

Please remember that many transsexual women would not dream of putting in for a "women only " shortlist/ election. The whole idea stinks. You'd hope that they would grow up a bit, and one day soon would say " what was I thinking of? " .

So very pleased for Gill, congratulations

Good!

WEll done Gill. She sounds like the perfect candidate for the role.

Great news!
Well done Gill xx

Try and get the voting/attendance numbers?

And was it better attended than last years?

CONGRATS GILL!