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Green Party Women coup

188 replies

GreenPartyWoman · 27/06/2021 16:27

The Green Party Women's party was co-chaired by a transwoman Kathryn Bristow (fae/fae) and a woman Emma Bateman. Emma has been suspended for alleged transphobia.

Kathryn has now taken over, calling themselves the Chair and removing the rights of women to organise and discuss women's matters on the Green Party forum. Kathryn has gone so far as to delete all previous posts.

Their statement:
"Over the last week I have tried to find a way to moderate this space in compliance with the Equality Act. Unfortunately I can't see a way of doing this that the 100 or so users of this space would be happy with and that wouldn't take a lot of my or someone else's time. While we have to look after the interests of 10,000’s Green Party members.
So sadly I have had to lock the ability of uses to post and comment on this space. I've also deleted all recent posts on the space by users, to ensure that we are complaint with the law in a way that makes no judgement on any one post.
I have to bring it up with the rest of the committee but my feeling is that is space will become a one way commutation tool from the committee to the membership.
More updates will be made soon.

Kathryn Bristow, Chair of Green Party Women"

I don't even know where to go with this, except that this seems to be almost like a totalitarian coup.

OP posts:
Ereshkigalangcleg · 14/07/2021 15:47

The party said it would not be commenting on individuals but defended its record on transgender rights, with a spokesperson said Greens are “proud to be the most progressive party on issues ranging from trans rights to immigration, from the rights of women to the climate emergency”.
“It is important that it is our members who decide this policy and it is absolutely right that the party supports trans, non-binary and genderqueer people to live their lives without discrimination or state or medical interference.”
The spokesperson added: “It is important to recognise that women’s rights and trans rights go hand in hand and the party conference continues to consider policy proposals on this issue.”

Totally unbiased then.

IrisAtwood · 14/07/2021 14:54

@GreenieFingers

How any woman can push aggressively and relentlessly to erode our rights and safety is completely beyond my comprehension.

I feel the same way.

IrisAtwood · 14/07/2021 14:52

This reply has been deleted

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OldTurtleNewShell · 14/07/2021 14:42

Very interesting!

RoxytheRexy · 14/07/2021 14:40

Amelia Womack would be the obvious choice but she’s mental on Trans rights.

And I hear not particularly popular in the inner party due to adultery with a Green Councillors husband

Helmetbymidnight · 14/07/2021 14:35

Wow, this is big news.

I was just about to post something on a green FB debate but a lot of TRA's got in there first with their 'this is life or death' for me, (in caps, obvs) so I backed away.

JustSpeculation · 14/07/2021 14:30

“Green leaders do not hold power but we do have a duty to influence, so I must apologise to you all for this failure and hold myself to account.”

So said Sian Berry, according to the Graun. The Green's equivocal stand on power has been their weak point ever since they were the Ecology Party, back in the 70s, when I was a member. Politics is all about power - power to promote your agenda - and not to grasp it explicitly, because your ideals are too pure, is to betray that agenda, and leave the field open to those who prefer quietly slithering in the background. And look where the slithering gets you.

Good. Glad she's gone. I hope this leaves the field open to someone who actually wants to do something.

PreachyGreen · 14/07/2021 14:26

Well there were high hopes last time...and look what we got. I think Shahrah Ali got 25% of an amazingly low turn out IIRC. Possibly more members may vote now there's no status quo option.

OvaHere · 14/07/2021 14:25

I think she's using trans rights as a cover for wanting to do something else

That was my impression on reading the statement.

As an aside her good friend of many years, Aimee (Challenor) is very sad to see her go.

Green Party Women coup
TheGoogleMum · 14/07/2021 14:20

So is it worth joining the green party to vote for a sensible leader?

toffeebutterpopcorn · 14/07/2021 14:10

remember when they used to want to save the environment? They need to change their name.

cervixuser · 14/07/2021 14:08

I think she's using trans rights as a cover for wanting to do something else

PreachyGreen · 14/07/2021 13:42

Surely Amelia Woomack will go for it. maybe with the super talented KB as co-leader?

GreenieFingers · 14/07/2021 13:38

Pleased to see Sian go but very worried about who may become the next Leader / Co-Leaders. One of the worst options for women and sex-based rights would be Rosi Sexton who is also actively supporting KB. How any woman can push aggressively and relentlessly to erode our rights and safety is completely beyond my comprehension.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 14/07/2021 13:25

Ah sorry, missed that, had only read Sian's statement on Twitter.

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 14/07/2021 13:24

@Ereshkigalangcleg

Is it Shahrar Ali she is referring to?
Seems to be, he’s mentioned in the linked article.
Ereshkigalangcleg · 14/07/2021 13:23

Is it Shahrar Ali she is referring to?

toffeebutterpopcorn · 14/07/2021 13:22

@Ereshkigalangcleg

Can anyone explain what is going on? Who are these terrible front bench people that the party have apparently endorsed? I thought the Greens were genderwoo central and that Bristow had completely taken over Green Party Women?
Yeah - wazzit?
EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 14/07/2021 13:08

Shahrar Ali looks to me like the best chance the Greens have.

highame · 14/07/2021 12:55

I think she prefers being on the London Assembly and is no longer interested in her GP role. Her statement whilst professing Green Leaders do no exert control, she has tried to do just that by, in the most underhand way, slamming a (possible) GC member. Yuuk

Ereshkigalangcleg · 14/07/2021 12:47

Can anyone explain what is going on? Who are these terrible front bench people that the party have apparently endorsed? I thought the Greens were genderwoo central and that Bristow had completely taken over Green Party Women?

cervixuser · 05/07/2021 16:35

@letterem

Hi I am glad to hear that other green party members are staying to fight - we need you! Though I completely understand why people leave, and I have friends who have had enough and packed it in - we are still friends.

If members do want to help, one thing they can do is take an interest and tell other members about the upcoming Green Party Executive elections - we need to get good people into positions where they can make a difference inside the party.

I see that @HonestyCounts97 has put recommendations of who to vote for and I agree with her assessment of Julia , Rashid & Dzaier (job share), Taymar and Zoe.

If people want news of hustings etc, they can sign up to the green feminist mailing list. The ballot opens in august.
And if people are feeling brave, start talking to your local green party groups about this issue, because most members are still not aware of what our policies are.

In addition, Green party members can join the alternative women's space (if you can navigate the members site) .

We are a friendly group of women, despite what the TRA's say!
Thanks
Emma

Green feminists email list
facebook.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=409cf838eaa33b3b4852ba616&id=0f633f2046

Alternative women's space for green party members
(552) 1 Woman - Green Party...women - alternative - Green Party Members Website

I've already joined the alternative women's space but have signed up for the emails. Sadly a lot of people locally have their pronouns plastered over their bios on twitter etc. Usually men and one of them told me that he used to think like I did but educated himself. I was planning on not renewing my member ship but then decided I needed to stay and fight
HonestyCounts97 · 05/07/2021 12:25

@letterem thank you for supporting my assessments and thank you for keeping stand up for women! Thank you for not laughing at my spelling to (I am dislexic) and I hope you can win the legal fight and go back to your proper position. Then I might join but the news today makes my worry who will be the next leaders? Can you get shahra to stand he seems nice to women and I think it’s wrong how white the Green party is

highame · 04/07/2021 20:03

My concern for GP women is that Kathryn Bristow got to be where she is because a load of disinterested but malevolents voted Kathryn Bristow in. They may well do the same with this next vote, getting their own in place. What happens then, what's the plan B