Weeks ago I emailed all candidates in my election ward (I'm in Michael Fabricants consituency - lucky me!) with a personalised version of the Sex Matters letter asking about protecting womens rights.
Yesterday I received this pile of word salad twaddle from Paul Ray, the standing LibDem.
"Thank you for contacting me.
Liberal Democrats believe we must ensure the safety, dignity and wellbeing of all people. We are committed to upholding women’s rights and trans rights, and do not believe that the two are in conflict.
That is demonstrated by the Equality Act, which makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone on the basis of any of a list of protected characteristics, including both sex and gender reassignment.
The Act sets out certain exceptions where differentiated treatment is permitted, including in relation to single-sex services, sports, and the selection of candidates by political parties. However, there is considerable debate and uncertainty for people over the use of these exceptions.
Liberal Democrats believe that individuals and service providers should be given more clarity over how to make decisions that are often very difficult and sensitive. The Government should publish clear and comprehensive guidance on the use of single-sex and separate-sex exceptions under the Act, using worked examples and case studies from organisations providing these services.
The aim of that guidance should be to ensure that everyone who needs single-sex services – such as survivors of sexual violence or domestic abuse – can access them safely, to prevent unjustified discrimination against trans people, and to provide clarity and certainty to service providers and the public. It should be produced in consultation with those most likely to be affected, including women who have experienced sexual violence or domestic abuse, trans people and providers of single-sex services.
Thank you again for contacting me." (bold is mine)
I am steamingly angry at his response. Oh wise vipers, how can I firmly point out that 1) I asked about WOMEN only and 2) govt law should not be built on case-by-case examples?
The only other response was from Fabbers himself stating his firm intent to retain sex-based rights. Pity that he is so awful in everything else!