Puberty blocker trial - petition

I think this is corruption on stilts.

You couldn't make it up.

How is that possible.

Who else is on the Petition Committee?

Just checked - looks very male https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/membership/

And look at who will chair the session:
Jamie Stone a self declared TRA
https://x.com/i/status/2020455729635668294

I would like to make it very clear that I will be leading this debate in my capacity as Chair of the House of Commons Petitions Committee.

The topic of this debate comes from an e-petition tabled by a member of the public. It does not reflect my personal views or politics.

From James Esses
x.com/i/status/2020510968556483034
Dear Jamie,

As author of the petition, I look forward to speaking to you in advance of the debate to ensure that you are fully briefed on the damage and destruction caused to vulnerable children by puberty blockers.

And there is a vote at the end of the meeting which could include asking the Minister / stand in to action whatever the motion was.

The motion is as I stated. They vote to agree that they've discussed it. Not to take, or even call for, action.

As I also said, this may indirectly lead to further action because strong support has been indicated for or against an idea. But this is not part of the process.

Examples of Successful Petitions

• Finn's Law (Animal Welfare/Service Animals Act 2019): Following a 2016 petition after a police dog named Finn was stabbed, the campaign gained over 130,000 signatures in 11 days. The petition galvanised support, putting pressure on MPs to support the change, leading to the 2019 law that prevents those who attack police animals from claiming self-defence.
• Meningitis B Vaccine Rollout (2015): A petition calling for the meningitis B vaccine to be given to all children, not just newborns, received over 800,000 signatures—the highest at that time. While not immediately accepted, the high profile forced a government response and subsequent debate, which, along with public pressure, influenced the government to renegotiate with vaccine suppliers to make it available.
• Sugar Tax (2015/2016): A petition for a sugar tax received over 155,000 signatures. Although the government initially stated they had "no plans" to introduce it after the debate, the pressure from the petition and accompanying campaigning contributed to the Chancellor announcing a soft drinks industry levy in the 2016 Budget.
• COVID-19 Measures (2020): Various petitions during the pandemic, including those calling for the inclusion of the self-employed in statutory sick pay and the closing of schools, helped highlight public sentiment and forced faster government responses, even if the direct policy change was not identical to the petition's request.
• Petition to Debate EU Referendum (2011): An early e-petition forced a discussion on a referendum to leave the EU in Parliament, breaking a long-standing refusal by both government and opposition to debate the matter.

According to the "rules" the relevant Minister is meant to be there and answer questions etc. (I think usually someone lower down the food chain is sent)

And there is a vote at the end of the meeting which could include asking the Minister / stand in to action whatever the motion was.

It if was a cul de sac, it would mean they couldn't class it as a petition system.

A petition is meant to or can get whatever authority it is to change of reverse or implant the purpose of the petition.

They don't make or agree proposals. The debate motion is "That this House has considered [petition]”. It's absolutely a cul de sac.

It's possible that members taking part in the debate will, having seen who agreed with them, informally get together afterwards. Or that the government will take note of the strength of feeling on the issue. But there's no mechanism for formal action, referral to a committee, writing a bill etc. guidetoprocedure.parliament.uk/articles/fNWtcSks/format-of-petitions-debates

There can be a next stage to a petition debate if at the end of the meeting there is an agreed proposal as to what to do next.

That is the whole point.

The debate isn't meant to be a cul de sac. It is meant to see if enough MPs, whatever the issue, want it taken further.

While I agree it would be better to lobby before than after, there is no 'next stage' to a petition debate.

Just to add I am impressed that the Government (presumably civil servants) did write a long response, but just shows the mind set.

" ... Parental consent is an integral component, with the parent needing to not only agree to their child’s involvement but also demonstrate sufficient understanding of the nature of the treatment, and what is currently known and unknown about its effects. Informed assent from the child will also be required. This will include the young person explaining in their own words to the clinician what the risks are and what they understand by those risks.

The only children to get to that stage will have already been diagnosed with gender incongruence for at least two years, will have received tailored psychosocial support, and will have been deemed clinically appropriate, within the context of the study, by both their NHS care team and the National Multi-Disciplinary Team. They will also have had to be assessed as being in stable physical and mental health.

Those young people receiving (or not receiving) puberty suppressing hormones will continue to receive other elements of routine support and treatment provided as part of newly established NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Services, whose practices have been shaped by the recommendations of the Cass Review. Participants can leave the trial at any time, at which point they would receive support in their withdrawal from puberty suppression as well as ongoing psychosocial support from NHS services. ... "

(from https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/751839 )

Yes the debate is on 9th, not sure why the lobby is on 10th.

Because if only 5 or at best 10 turn up for the meeting, it will just be another issue swept under the every growing pile of attempts by women to influence the HoC.

Its obviously great that women will want to give up time, but its a bit like sending out the life boats after the ship has sunk.

In using the petition process the aim is to get an officially recognised meeting (as on 9th) to advance it to whatever is the next stage.

To not put pressure on so that the meeting has a positive outcome seems strange.

Or is the assumption that the meeting wont achieve anything and so MPs will need to be lobbied the next day to get them to try and over turn the negative outcome of the meeting?

Yes you're right the HOC debate is on the 9th. It's debated by the Petitions Committee.
I think the Sex Matters lobbying isn't directly connected then.

"The petition will be debated in HOC on 10th March."

I’m afraid the debate is on the 9th March.

I am so upset that I’m working on 10th March. I will contact my MP - she’s definitely on side, but it won’t hurt.

The petition will be debated in HOC on 10th March.
Sex Matters are organising lobbying of MPs ........Tell your MP that children deserve better – join us at Westminster on Tuesday 10th March.

If you are concerned about the planned puberty-blockers trial, here is what you can do.
Together with LGB Alliance and the Women’s Rights Network, we are planning a lobby day at Parliament to support people to talk to their MPs, and encourage them to understand the concerns about the trial.

A lobby day is when people go to Parliament together to speak to their MPs. You write to your MP in advance to tell them you are coming and to ask for a meeting. We go into Parliament together to meet MPs and “green card” those that have not responded to a request to meet in advance.
Organisers from Sex Matters, LGB Alliance and the Women’s Rights Network will be there to support you with advice for your meeting, briefings about where to go and what to do, and materials to give your MP. You’ll need to make your way to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster by calendar:T1:1pm 1pm on Tuesday 10th March.

We’ll share exact timings and meeting points closer to the date. But please mark it in your diary now if you think you might be able to come, and keep an eye out for emails with more details.

Glad to meet another fan, @CompleteGinasaur! Just re-read the Arbai trilogy after a gap of over 20 years and had forgotten how wonderfully strange many of Tepper's books are. Couldn't resist the name change after that.

Thanks for that, @MarjorieWestriding. I'd also like to say fabulous username - big fan of Sheri S. Tepper myself!

Streeting IMHO is on a par with Phillipson re deviousness here, telling both camps of Labour MPs what they want to hear.
A real political operator who will strike after May when Starker at his weakest, and Burnham safely tucked away.
His obsequiousness over the PB trial belies a real sociopathic political personality.

I think it's a new story, in the Telegraph. Maybe someone can find a link.

Do you have a link?

ETA - or am I misunderstanding - are you referring to the article above? In which case, n mind!

Another news story from a very large number of informed specialists stating that the informed consent forms for the trial are hugely suspect, no patent, and critically child, reading the literature can be in any place equivalent to fully informed, and thus consent not properly acquired.
Just how much longer is Streeting going to hold out against mounting pressure to stall/cancel this trial?

I do that all the time, @CompleteGinasaur !

I signed too, and was astonished to see that it was still languishing at that miniscule level - was then mortified to get the email telling me I'd already signed, so my tiny gesture of help didn't even count! Bloody brain fog..

I've signed this but it's still only on 1300 or so signatures, but not set up by an organisation just a brave individual...

Sorry forgot link!

Labour MPs Are Competing For Wes Streeting's Ear On Puberty Blockers
https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/labour-mps-vie-wes-streetings-ear-puberty-blockers