What exactly has Andrew Neil done?

It's misogyny in it?

AN - Silly, hysterical women complaining about wanting single sex spaces. Oh hang on a minute, you mean people are being physically harmed by this stuff? Why didn't anyone say?

WS - silly, hysterical bigoted women should just be kind. Oh hang on a minute, you mean this might not be a vote winner, well I suppose they might have a point...

But baby steps are better than no steps. And the late majority on the bell curve are crucial. So welcome. Belatedly. Now could you start listening to women?

I'm heartened today that Times Radio celebrated JKR's birth in the on this day in history. Happy Birthday to her.

No, he doesn't know what he's talking about. He's entering a debate on the ground floor, the basement actually, when we're all up on the roof terrace.

It's frustrating. But the interesting part is how it's an example of what many people think. That this can't be happening. Because doctors. Because too many doctors. Because parents. And the NHS.

They know best.

Fortunately, there are some incredibly articulate and informative women who can, very succinctly, explain why, no, they bloody don't.

I console myself with the thought that however frustrating it is to see this ignorance, it's the beginning, of the journey to, let's call it, enlightenment.

Jim wants content free debate - a lot like Kier Staremer, then.

Jim's not sure of anything, this is clear. You cannot debate an issue unless you understand its precepts, Jim.

"I'm not sure we agree fully, but it is nice to debate an issue on Twitter without it resulting in personal insults"

Jim again......

"I agree. That is why I feel this issue is not black or white but complex. I also feel:
1, the issue is being politicised, which is not helpful to an informed debate on a very serious issue,
2, by focusing on this specific form of child ‘abuse’ we are diminishing the pain of the millions of children suffering other forms of child abuse. It is not that we ignore this issue to focus on other forms of abuse but we cannot ignore the other forms of child abuse to only focus on this issue"

None of his tweet makes any sense. He simply does not know what he is talking about.

What a jerk that Jim Stevenson is:

"it is not an easy topic nor an easy solution. Trying to make it black or white is not helpful. Equally I feel it is now becoming a political issue with some using child abuse as a political ball for their prejudice over trans people in general. It’s not that simple and I find politicising child abuse to be abhorrent"

All the usual " It's such a difficult topic" - Yes, and why?

I'm feeling quite positive today. It's as though we've been jumping up and down and fending off the insanity with knackered old shotguns and few old bits of artillery and suddenly a huge tank with a massive autocannon has rolled in on our side.

It's bloody annoying we women don't get to fire the autocannon ourselves, but it's a step in the right direction.

And I'm not going to be cross that the tank is late to the battle. At least it has arrived.

On-camera version is on YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o8b6b2i_LH0&list=PLDCXLWdvtIuaFd0xwS2k2i6JFAKaZcfvX&index=23&pp=iAQB

I’m not on there and won’t join but it’s even more stark when you’re not in the weeds of it

I only see the tweets if linked on here

(and yes I know mn gets criticism for all sorts of reasons but at least it’s not professional names)

Good idea to add some positive. I do emails with any MP or Baroness or other if they do something good. Positive reinforcement and all that.

Ha ha! Indeed. I have to step away from MN at times (took a month off recently).
The fact that I have willingly thrown myself in to the lion's den of Twitter anger almost immediately upon my MN return seems somewhat counterintuitive towards supporting my mental health. However, this is issue number one for me: kids. It's time to step forward.

Until now I couldn't see the interactions as I hadn't signed up.
Couldn't agree more. He's got the message that he's late to the party, but if that's the biggest message he hears those who are shouting it need to consider the impact that that will have. Why would he stay if that's all he hears?
No idea how long I'll stay signed up for (the world of Twitter has no appeal to me whatsoever) but I've added a positive voice to the mix as a small contribution towards keeping the balance. Hopefully he can maintain his focus on the real issue.

Ha welcome @BonfireLady! I have to stay away for mh often.

But its addictive; Sharron liked one of my tweet recently as has Gussie...

There is a prime example of a man on that thread who simply refuses to believe that quite so much of the medical profession is captured. I should imagine even the concept of professionals being captured is difficult for him to accept.

He is warning Andrew Neil that doctors simply wouldn't be performing these surgeries or prescribing the medications, without it being the best thing for the child. And is under the impression that the input of parents, doctors, psychologists, etc, can't all be wrong.

The knowledge that this is unevidenced is something that he cannot grasp.

I agree with Bev’s tweet.

The time for recriminations as to who was late to the party and why and by how much may come later, but for now it’s still about amplifying the message on all political sides. All aboard!

Completely agree. I look at those interactions and think come on people

Why are people "yelling" at Andrew Neil? In what way does that help? This issue is too important for it to be about purity of thought and league tables of who has been 'out' and GC the longest.

Andrew Neil has been aware of the issue; I've seen him ridicule guests on his show who could not describe what a woman was, or who tried to evade the question. But in his position there are a hundred and one other issues that have occupied the discussion, and he has most likley seen this one as an issue that is but one part of a wider pushback.

Twitter really does generate negativity and division.

Damn it. I've now joined Twitter. I held out for soooooo long.
His humility in understanding that he is late to the party and a newbie, his open-mindedness to unblock Glinner (it took me months to start reading Glinner's stuff as I had written him off as a step too far - I was wrong) combined with the media reach he has..... I'm in. Front row seat to the Tweets.

Good. I note he's also retweeted these two tweets which is fab.

Two people who's careers were severely affected thanks to speaking out about this harm.

Jeez, if he truly doesn't know what a terf is, where has he been? Has he blocked everyone and remained in blissful ignorance about the entire underbelly?

Wait till he finds out what AGP is and why it relies on 'trans kids' to whitewash it.

Andrew asks why doctors are giving puberty blockers to children. Good question, Andrew.

https://twitter.com/afneil/status/1685762666353061889

If it’s up, the farms has a thread on SRS/GRS. You need an
incredibly strong stomach and industrial strength eye bleach. Heed the warnings and brace yourself.
It’s horrifying and heartbreaking what had been done to these people. I don’t think
they can consent to it

This is my favourite...

twitter.com/fadicalnem/status/1673417874558402560?s=46&t=A2fpFNgDRyXF2d6ye97wEA

Hadn't seen this one before!

Disagree with Alan there though, some men have been completely vilified and lost jobs, eg Glinner and a couple of teachers