Today’s witch burning - Rosie Duffield MP

I think it's a good statement.

The "different groups of women" could mean the women supporting her versus the little Wokettes calling for her head to appease men. Different groups of "feminists", if you will.

I think it's clever.

She comes out if it well. Reasonable and hasn't given ground on anything in particular.

I think it was drafted with the help of Labour Party Head Office, with the sole aim of closing the controversy. Duffield has not given way on anything substantive. I would not be surprised if she and Starmer agreed that they need to focus on the long term project of ensuring the LP is electable, rather than spend time firefighting.

She also refers to trans men rather than simply men... making a clear distinction between trans and not trans. In this case it is in relation to men but I think it's a clear enough indication of her views.

I don't think she does say her language was wrong. She says language is important, she says she is learning all the time, and she apologises for any offence her language may have caused. She does not say her words were wrong or apologise for the language she chose, only the offence it may have caused.

I've tried to read it in the best light, but I can't make it ok. By saying her language was wrong she is calling everyone who said "only women have a cervix" a transphobe.

I can only imagine that Starmer called her up and said "only transpeople matter" and she decided her career trumped reality and the rights of women.

Perhaps without the women's vote she'll be out next time and that will be that anyway.

I'm mad at Labour, as they've clearly forced her into this. They can't be saved. Bin it.

I've just Wikipedia'd Duffield's consituency.

Canterbury was Conservative from 1835 until 1910 (when it was an Independent Unionist so conservative allied) and then Tory again from 1918 until Duffield was elected in 2017: 'the end of a 185-year period of Canterbury always electing Conservative-allied MPs, the longest recorded unbroken record of party representation in British political history.'

I didn't know that. What an amazing achievement. The Labour party should be paying her to give seminars.

I think Rosie comes out of this well, strong, reasonable and willing to learn and listen. I thought it was a clever statement but it won't be enough for the extremists. They'll go on with the twitter bile (which she has removed herself from) and make themselves look totally unreasonable to the public.

It was just like that time mum refused their request for Fanta in their sippy cup

, Floral.

Yep, good plan. I'll send her a card. I think she's been brave, sensible and respectful in the face of some ridiculous over-reactions from the LGBT Labour lot and others. Possibly rather wise, too, in avoiding getting into a big slanging match on social media.

And asking for debate - that's all that's needed. Clear, respectful, open debate. Using evidence, statistics and consultation with stakeholders. I'm hopeful that this is a glimmer of sense within Labour.

First read I felt disappointed. Next few reads I noticed carefully chosen phrases such as apologising for offence caused by her words, rather than the words themselves. The call for debate and respectful discussion is good, and we know full well who hasn't been respectful or open to debate. Clear commitment to women's rights and no real ground given over.
I also like the reference to some trans men needing cervical screenings, rather than anything close to TWAW. I think by referring to women and trans men - ie.by using the prefix trans to differentiate between men and trans men - it's reasonable to think she doesn't include trans women in the women group. Could have done without the mention of non binary.

Absolutely Flo.

I'll bet her constituents are livid, after all it was a Conservative seat

A card of support is in order for Rosie, especially if her email inbox is jammed up (c18k) as people under her tweet are suggesting.

I would call that Twitter post bowing out with her head held high.
If that's the first time she's put her head over the parapet then I honestly applaud her. Even JK Rowling retreated behind a 'middle aged moment' (or her agent did) in the early stages.

I would think a public birching would be acceptable, though I can't be sure

So LGBT+ Labour want not just an apology, but reparations?! Have they come up with a figure, or suggested appropriate recipients?

Rosie Duffield is wisely stepping back from Twitter:

twitter.com/RosieDuffield1/status/1293199592633307137

I'd have gone with "Bite me!" myself and I'm on twitter telling them what I think, but not under my own name as Rosie Duffield has to be.

As for Keir Starmer. It's a bad day for Labour when their leader is afraid to step up, but a conservative MP like Jackie Price does.

Yeah. I can't say I blame the woman for wanting a bit of a break.

Definitely fence sitting, but that's why she and KS are in politics and I'm not.

However, it does have a fence sitters hands all over it

then again, if I look at how much traction is given to Jameela & Josie deleting a few tweets, I think it's worth considering Duffieldgate

'Different groups of women pitted against each other' is intriguing phrasing.

She could mean the list she has made in the statement of 'most women, trans men and some non binary people' is 'different groups of women'. Which would mean she is a naughty transphobe. She could equally mean women and TW. Which is indeed capitulation.

The fact that it's not quite clear makes it a smart enough move to fizzle most of the heat out of this and blur any useful focus it may have brought.

That's not a bad statement. Satisfies most moderates. Of course, nothing will ever satisfy the TRAs.

I could quibble over much of the statement but I think it's well constructed for its intended purpose: since there's no way she'd be able to say everything the trans activists are demanding, instead she's been remarkably conciliatory and thus is inviting the trans activists either to accept the statement and calm down or to go on the attack and look completely beyond reason. With the bonus that this is being conducted with many people looking on and they'll see if one side looks aggressive and unreasonable.