Caroline Nokes supports the WI's decision to admit transwomen.

Is this (a) WAMI for the WI then?

It might be worth trying again, perhaps closer to the election. Perhaps say you are writing to all candidates as this issue is one on which you will not compromise.

The Mail was reporting last week that Penny is back on the leadership campaign (speaking at local Conservative Associations and giving press interviews) and is softening her stance on TWAW as she recognises it harmed her last time.

I wish that for the sake of everyone they would just get behind the leader we have. After last year most people want calm and stability. (Any many do not want Penny.)

😆

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I don't like beer or knitting. Where is my place in the world? Do I even exist? What is the meaning of life?

I would hope there is a register for anyone funning the country.

OMG, DH funs the country. I must be nicer to him, it's a thankless job.

Hacker: Don't tell me about the press. I know exactly who reads the papers. The Daily Mirror is read by people who think they run the country;
The Guardian is read by people who think they ought to run the country;
The Times is read by the people who actually do run the country;
the Daily Mail is read by the wives of the people who run the country; the Financial Times is read by people who own the country;
the Morning Star is read by people who think the country ought to be run by another country,
and the Daily Telegraph is read by people who think it is.

Sir Humphrey: Prime Minister, what about the people who read The Sun?

Bernard: Sun readers don't care who runs the country, as long as <redacted>

@PollyPeptide regarding the number of branches near you, in my area sadly it's because of fallings out. Our local branch was great, really vibrant. Some noses were knocked out of joint and now we have a failing local WI and a new 'not yet thriving, just down the road' WI.

As another long-standing Guardian reader, I agree. I also think that the DM attracts tedious intellectual and class snobbery, particularly on MN. The Daily Telegraph and Spectator are just as obnoxious about immigrants/Brexit etc, and the Times is almost as bad, but they don't attract the same performative pearl-clutching.

Actually the Mail has been covering women's rights and the current threats to them really well.

Whereas the Guardian and the Independent are completely captured by trans ideology.

And I say that as a person who was a Guardian reader for almost 50 years and who used to despise the Mail. I still disagree strongly with the Mail's stance on some subjects, but on this, it's pretty good.

#immigrants
#houseprices

and for the Express
#diana
#brexit

Have they? Are the WI excluding this transwoman? Or just ignoring women. Their traditional membership base.

It would be interesting if the Daily Mail were to pick up on this.

My knitting group meets in the pub. It’s definitely not advertised as women-only, that’s just who turns up.

Several of us are members of different branches of the WI. AFAIK none of them has men or transwomen as members. I’m not sure what the response would be if they applied to join. Be Kind and feel uncomfortable, probably.

In the interests of harmony the knitting group avoids discussion of contentious subjects.

Couldn't spot it. Assume already asked .

But doesn't she have a relative who's trans.

Basically any politician or public figure who is unexpectedly vocal about TWAW has a trans relative.

Why stop at TW. Why not just admit all men. Why not just change the name to “The People’s Institute. Full inclusivity or you’re a hateful bigot.

Oh yes here she was.

a mums net chat. Tried to copy. But I seem to have failed 🙈

Did we not have nokes on Mumsnet for a chat ?

going to search

Perhaps all of us on here who have CN as out MP (at least 3!) should all email in asking her some questions.

She’s my MP too. Occasionally shows flashes of non-Tory-groupthink before reminding you of her true blueness. But very much of #bekind who cares about rights anyway

she is excellent at replying to emails though, so might try again. For what it’s worth (vanishingly little).

<serious face>
The Freedom of Association is a fundamental human right. The freedom to choose who you mix with, and who you don't. It is a freedom that can be abused obviously. And all fundamental human rights are by the defining fact of society qualified to a certain extent.

However if Jesus and Jane want to associate without Judas, that is their right. Questioning that right is in and of itself an attack on it. So should only be indulged in the certain extents mentioned aforethread.

With the ECHR reportedly on the chopping block, people really should bone up on the concept of fundamental rights before they are gone.
</serious face>

There is a school of thought that some people would not become a member of any club that would accept them.

Caroline Nokes has always been pro men trampling on women's boundaries.

I wrote to her at least eight years ago, and she was walking around with her eyes shut then.

There's no excuse now, though.

I know. It's the sexism that gets me. Imagining that men cant knit and women cant drink beer.