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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Labour councillor quits party over puberty blocker ban

69 replies

ArabellaScott · 04/01/2025 20:01

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy89e1g71ppo

'Zoe Hughes, Exeter City Council member, said the party's support of a ban on puberty blockers for under-18s questioning their gender identity was "a policy I refuse to stand by and accept".
Hughes was elected as the Labour councillor for the Pennsylvania ward in May and will now serve as an Independent.'
...
Hughes said: "As a queer person, I have often felt alone and marginalised within society. However, I historically have felt that at least the Labour Party had my back."
Hughes, who uses "they" and "them" as personal pronouns, said they were "nervous" when the Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he wanted to meet the author JK Rowling, who has expressed concerns about how trans issues affect women's rights.
Hughes said there would be "increasing self-harm" as a result of the decision on puberty blockers in "an already vulnerable and marginalised group".
They added: "We have let the LGBT+ community down and I want no part of it – there is no LGB without the T for me, it is that simple."'

Zoe Hughes, an Exeter City council member, wearing a blue T-shirt and a black top, sitting next to a bookshelf

Labour councillor quits party over trans row

Zoe Hughes opposes a ban on puberty blockers but the government says children's welfare comes first.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy89e1g71ppo

OP posts:

JanesLittleGirl · 04/01/2025 22:34

It is always sad when dreams encounter reality.

SkiingonKaraSea · 04/01/2025 22:28

ArabellaScott · 04/01/2025 21:50

Which is problematic, in my view.

Councils being used as mini wargrounds over party political issues helps nobody.

As a councillor puberty blockers aren't even in this woman's remit, for example.

We elect councillors to deal with local authority issues, not discombobulate themselves over party political strife.

Show quote history

Councils are as party political as government, often even more so, even if the issues are local. Many councils are so safe that one party dominates and the council is basically controlled by a few people/families in the local party.

SkiingonKaraSea · 04/01/2025 22:23

Pearandgin · 04/01/2025 20:11

She pretty much says: give them/us what we want, and if not we (them) will, hurt ourselves.

That's such an immature attitude.

The evidence against taking PB is very strong.

When will it end, when will zealots see it for what it is?!

At some point it will be declared that Oceania has always been Eurasia

Original poster

ArabellaScott · 04/01/2025 21:50

Shortshriftandlethal · 04/01/2025 20:12

Well, that's the end of her career as a councillor. Come the next election she won't be voted back in. Unless she's a fabuolous councillor - people will vote for someone of one party or other.

Edited

Which is problematic, in my view.

Councils being used as mini wargrounds over party political issues helps nobody.

As a councillor puberty blockers aren't even in this woman's remit, for example.

We elect councillors to deal with local authority issues, not discombobulate themselves over party political strife.

OP posts:

1Week · 04/01/2025 21:42

Did auntie ask why she has decided to ignore the growing evidence of the harms of puberty blockers or instead drop the Mike at the stunning and brave crescendo?

MrsOvertonsWindow · 04/01/2025 21:39

Interesting that her conversation is all about adults isn't it? Labour aren't doing much at the moment to persuade the electorate that they're concerned about safeguarding children are they?

Ereshkigalangcleg · 04/01/2025 21:36

Oh no, how sad, never mind.

HermioneWeasley · 04/01/2025 21:36

And the trash takes itself out

NotBadConsidering · 04/01/2025 21:34

Good on her for sticking to her principles. It’s obviously a shame that those principles support the sterilisation and lifelong medicalisation of children, but hey, I do appreciate the concept of having courage in your convictions.

Now, if every person in every position of responsibility who supports the sterilisation of children could also resign out of principle, that would be good too.

exwhyzed · 04/01/2025 21:33

OolongTeaDrinker · 04/01/2025 21:17

Why would you leave a position where you might be able to (misguidedly) influence things, to become just a random
member of the public with no voice in the council? Seems like cutting of her nose to spite her face to me 🤷🏻‍♀️

Zoe hasn't. Zoe has left the Labour party. Zoe retains Zoe's post as a councillor as an independent.

People quit parties all the time as local councillors and remain as independents. Question is why the BBC decided this tantrum was newsworthy.

HaveYouActuallyDoneAnyWashingThisWeekMum · 04/01/2025 21:26

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 04/01/2025 20:13

Oh dear, what a shame.

I was going to write the same thing

lcakethereforeIam · 04/01/2025 21:22

Why do useful work when there's virtue to signal? She doesn't seem the brightest.

OolongTeaDrinker · 04/01/2025 21:17

PermanentTemporary · 04/01/2025 21:17

Sad to hear they feel distressed by this to the point of giving up on a job they were recently elected to do. I do find it very hard to imagine anyone feeling anything but relief that these horrible drugs are once again being stopped from being promoted for children when there's no evidence they benefit any condition enough to compensate for the side effects. What happened to caution around drugs for children?

lcakethereforeIam · 04/01/2025 21:13

I'm sure someone posted on another thread that it was only here on FWR that was pushing the marginalised and vulnerable line. Sooner the tras all quit Labour, the better.

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 04/01/2025 21:11

Good riddance.