The cancellation of women is bigger than a culture war (Tory MP in the Telegraph)

''But shouldn't politicians listen to the concerns of the population and act accordingly? Isn't that the essence of democracy and representation of the people? You write it as if they're doing something shifty.'

You must know that's not how it works at all, I'm sure.

Would be impossible anyway.

Different people want different things. Have different beliefs about what is important and what is a waste of money.

The public are the opposite of a United voice!

But shouldn't politicians listen to the concerns of the population and act accordingly? Isn't that the essence of democracy and representation of the people? You write it as if they're doing something shifty. 😄

I agree that they absolutely should NightlyStroll, but they are politicians and can be very selective as to what they hear or how much credence they give it. What they hear loudest and respond to is what will win them votes and ultimately power, at least that's what the Tories seem to do and are doing, Labour seem to be hearing what is being shouted loudest by a very vocal and authoritarian few and ignoring everything else.

I'm just cynical where politicians of every stripe are concerned because after all they're politicians.

As I say women are adults and can make our own sodding decisions about who to vote for.

I'm a screaming lefty by nature, always have been. My urge to comment that personally I don't think the conservative party centrally have any interest in this at all. And their actions have been. Ok this seems to be a thing wanted. Don't care either way. Let's get it moving. Oh shit this is a nightmare. Not even interested. Back off and step away.

Is what has happened rather than a deliberate move iyswim.

They didn't proceed with it.

My view.

Zero interest to their core voters.

Zero appetite for getting in the middle of trans activists and allies, and a bunch of women. Angry shouty polarised debate. PITA.

Easier to say going to put this on back burner and get left alone. Or at least hassled less.

Tory voters big segment of traditional values types, loads of elderly people who may (?) be more likely to take a dim view of stepping outside gender role. Why take that risk?

Probably massive row internally if looked like going ahead as plenty of Tory women are outspoken and no nonsense types. The sort of women you really think twice before fucking with. Why risk that when. This is not an issue they give a toss about?

• More.

It is imo an error to think Tories are on side of women here. Neutral I'd say.

And at the moment. Neutral looks insanely positive next to all the other parties on this. Who are broadcasting that they don't GAF about women and girls through a huge speaker system at full volume, 24/7.

@madisonbridges ha my dad has never voted Tory in his life but is a life long telegraph reader for the crossword and the sport

@NiceGerbil didn’t they halt self id?

@RedDogsBeg
"The Tories, sensibly, moved back - not far enough yet, but at least they are going in the right direction and allowing the topic to be discussed and debated within the Party and they are listening to what is being said by the public. I'm not saying they are doing this out of any altruistic motives but they are shrewd enough to know how to win votes and ultimately that is what they want to do."

But shouldn't politicians listen to the concerns of the population and act accordingly? Isn't that the essence of democracy and representation of the people? You write it as if they're doing something shifty. 😄

I have met plenty of people who don't vote Tory but rate the Telegraph's sports coverage, so you can't always make assumptions about publication demographics

Haha. My dad used to buy it for the sports coverage. And the crossword.

Emailed my thanks just now.

I think that Tory women have more freedom to express GC views because they are less likely to get cancelled by their own side.

'I agree, I mentioned overall party opinion; also if the Conservatives came out with a plan to scrap the GRA for example there would be no doubt whatsoever that they would be the best choice.'

Zero chance of that happening. They aren't interested in this at all. Just noise. Annoying. Centrally they do not give a toss about anyone. They are avoiding the topic as not interested and toxic. Don't take that as supporting women's rights.

'The thing is, a lot of women swore they would never vote Tory. Labour use that to their advantage - the Tories are the nasty party etc. It's emotional blackmail really. "If you cared about the NHS you'd vote for the abolition of woman as a legal entity" doesn't sound as good, but that's basically the line.'

A lot of women? Hardly. A proportion of male and female people have strong inbuilt beliefs. Whether Tory, green, labour. It's not about 'swearing' and 'nasty party'. That's trivialising the depth of feeling that those people both left and right have about what is the best thing for society.

There are self serving arseholes on both sides. And deep misogny in Tories and labour. Always has been. There is deep misogny in society full stop. Usually not even noticed consciously.

Agree this bad women do your duty guilting left women who care at all about women is pathetic bollocks that highlights that we are essentially viewed as easily led and bekind is the ultimate manipulation that we will fall for. No attempt to persuade. Arguments. Counter points. Just don't be horrible do what you're told.

Do they realise how counter productive it is. To think that telling angry women they are failing at actions that are part of feminine expectations. Is the WORST approach to take? We are not stupid, flighty, or children. We are grown ups who think for ourselves FFS.

I've just e mailed her . It's the least I can do .

Nope - never Tory - however, responding to an article saying how good it was, whoever wrote it, seems the way forward to me. Maybe one day we will have a left of centre party which actually supports women AND gives a shit about poverty AND the environment. I continue to dream!

Very clear. Hope other MPs who can see souls or have one person in their constituency transitioning can appreciate the bigger picture.

Thank you

It seemed wrong to want them to win, ie. to hope all the other possible winners would lose, but to stand aside and just hope that other voters would make that happen.

This is where I am now. I spoiled my ballot at the last general election but I won't do that again. Until Labour and/or the LibDems sort this shit out, I will actively vote against them.

In a Tory stronghold here (rural north yorks) anyway mind you.

Wasn’t Carrie Johnson speaking in support of LGBTQI+ at the Tory conference?

I’d be super careful throwing in my lot with the Tories they only care about number one, and you ain’t number one.

Can’t ever vote Tory but appreciate this article, it’s clear and concise.

It’s time other parties sorted out their shit, or even better we change FPTP it’s not really a democratic system.

Plus the Tory Party are well aware that those TRAs and their supporters shouting the loudest about this gender ideology and abusing any dissenters on Social Media would never in a million years vote Tory if they bother to vote at all.

The Tories, sensibly, moved back - not far enough yet, but at least they are going in the right direction and allowing the topic to be discussed and debated within the Party and they are listening to what is being said by the public. I'm not saying they are doing this out of any altruistic motives but they are shrewd enough to know how to win votes and ultimately that is what they want to do.

I also voted Tory for the first time ever at the last election. It seemed wrong to want them to win, ie. to hope all the other possible winners would lose, but to stand aside and just hope that other voters would make that happen. And they did win, which in my constituency was rather HUGE.

Brilliant, clear, concise article.

Absolutely crazed that a former teacher has to explain that it shouldn't be controversial to point out that mammals can't change sex.

I think the no-nonsense approach will appeal to Telegraph readers (I have met plenty of people who don't vote Tory but rate the Telegraph's sports coverage, so you can't always make assumptions about publication demographics).