A woman is a woman

[EmotionSickness]

For those who have been following the Tory conference and general themes of their speeches…

How do you feel about Sunak’s speech?

I know there has been a lot of discussion on here from those who didn’t want to vote for a party that didn’t know the definition of a woman.

Rishi has stated clearly that “a woman is a woman and a man is a man.” While I’d argue that still isn’t a definition, per se, he is appeasing this way of thinking.

So I’m just wondering. Is this enough for you to vote Tory at the next election?

I found it easier to work with 30 free childcare hours not 15. Probably one of the few state policies that immediately helped. That got upped for my last dc

Meet the new boss ?

However, no matter how corrupt, venal and immoral Labour may want to be, they can't equal the Tories from day one. It takes years (13 years to be precise) to become as mired in murk as the Tories have. And I will take the 4 years breather gladly.

The Communist Party of Britain are pro-women's rights but I doubt they will field many candidates, it's very difficult to be a feminist and a socialist at the moment given that the parties that the left in general is choosing to centre men's desires over women's needs and rights. Very depressing indeed.

I'm GC and will never vote Tory, but is it too little too late with Keir's eventual concession in July that women are biological females? I don't trust him at all.

so true- the amount of abuse on here is unreal

If you can get a thread going with enough posts telling women they are transphobic or bigots AIBU it is

Too many requests for single sex spaces and off you go

I must admit I was considering voting for Labour next time because I think it's not good for any party to be in over and over again. But between the ULEZ and the letter people I'm not sure I can. But then again my vote won't make a blind bit of difference where I live in Toryland anyway.

All Sunak has done is latch on to an issue that evokes a strong reaction from both sides and simply picked the one he thinks will benefit him most.

The Tories do not give a shiny shit about women. Their record speaks for itself. Doesn't care about women starving does he? Or victims of rape? Domestic violence? Nah. But sure he 'knows what a woman is'. All the better to continue throwing them under the bus.

I have never and will never vote Tory. There is nothing he could say, no promise he could make that would make me vote for a party that has caused such devastation. The sooner we can get rid of this hideous government the better.

That less than 0.5% of the population who are biologically male but identify as female can bully, de-platform and stigmatise 50.8% of the population with the full support of the major political parties and MSM is more concerning.

I see comments daily denying that trans women exist so it’s not an odd comment at all. I see comments saying they are a he not a she, using their male name before transitioning and that’s without delving into the few batshit comments I’ve seen on trans based articles inciting violence towards them. So don’t pretend this level of hatred and erasing doesn’t exist because it does and it’s naïve to think it doesn’t.

Do I believe trans women are women no I do not but I think they are in their own category that shouldn’t tarnish them automatically as men when they choose not to live that way, it’s not my business to tell people how to live their lives as themselves. This is the debate we need to find a middle ground for trans women and women to co exist together but separately without the hate that comes with it, how we do that I don’t know but I do believe the Tory party isn’t the answer.

What I actually want to know is - does Starmer agree?

Yes. We can change financial policy. We can't change the removal of women's rights.

@blameless I agree they should not be allowed to bully women into giving women’s only spaces to them, that is the governments fault for allowing that in the first place. I agree with everything going a bit mad in fear of being labelled transphobic and I do think the tide is changing. But tell me have you actually spoken to trans women in real life? I have a lot of trans friends and I am active in the lgbt community and I can assure you the trans people I know just want a peaceful life. They do not want to be constantly made out to be targeting women’s lives just because a few louder trans women have decided to represent the views of every trans person. It’s simply not true.

No. I won't vote Tory but can't vote Labour or LibDem because I don't trust them on women's rights.

Used to be a member of the Greens until some started focusing on identity politics rather than on the environment. Plus I've seen what the Scottish Greens have done with a bit of power. Their own former leader has quit the party after 40 years saying they've "lost the plot" over multiple things including the handling of trans issues.

Women fought long and hard for the right to vote yet now there's nobody I can actually vote for. So I'll still turn out on polling day but will have to spoil my ballot. Am not happy about it.

I'd never vote for these lying, thieving scumbags. If they get into power again I'm genuinely terrified.

They aren't protectors of women, they'll say any aul shite to get votes. The people who vote for them aren't much better in my eyes, they are culpable of leading us into even more of a shit show than we're in already.

Couldn’t agree more. It was red meat for a small minority. Sunak will say anything if he thinks there’s a vote in it. The Tories’ track records on women’s rights is abysmal.

SerendipityJane
However, no matter how corrupt, venal and immoral Labour may want to be, they can't equal the Tories from day one

You have a selective memory: four or five Labour MPs from Gordon Brown's government were convicted of fraud/false accounting and sent to prison after the expenses scandal - Keir Starmer had three 'sex scandals' to deal with (in the same week) earlier this year.

I'm in that generation. I've no time for anything Sunak says. He's a man without decency or integrity with an appalling parliamentary record which funnily enough people don't seem to be keen to defend.

The Conservatives don't care about people, let alone women and I hope they're finished for my lifetime.

There’s more to life than one issue though. It’s stupid to waste your vote based on one issue. I don’t understand the arrogance of people who spoil their vote. It’s an absolute privilege we have and continue to have and that’s what democracy is. What do you think will happen if you spoil your vote?? Nothing at all will happen. There’ll be no consequence. Actually it plays right into the hands of those who would rather democracy didn’t exist. It’s likely impossible one party will share your thoughts on every issue. Voting is always choosing the best option in your own opinion.

I don't necessarily think they have... I sat down with my Tory MP and explained why the creep on this issue is so wrong. He listened then took it to Kemi Badenich and Miriam Cateswho are properly pushing g back. Maybe they are just listening to their constituents and doing what they should?

I often read your posts and find things to agree on. However, I do have to ask if your friends are concerned about how women who are campaigning for those single sex spaces and sports etc are treated? And do they ever do anything to let the groups supposedly representing their interests know that they support the need to prioritise sex over gender for certain issues?

Because I understand it is fucking hard to raise your hand in support. But the assurances that there are many who disagree with the extremists are in doubt when the support groups are presenting a completely different story. Surely if there is enough of them, they can change the narrative? Or are the groups too entrenched? Please tell us what is happening?

Is this enough for you to vote Tory at the next election?

No. Just that alone certainly isn't enough.

Otoh, someone not being able to clearly state that women are adult human females is enough for me to not want to vote for them either.

I find the amount of people saying they won't vote at all to be really depressing. Democracy is so important; and is the best political system (even with flaws). Voting is part of being in a democracy.

If you genuinely can't make a choice then choose the party that is most aligned to the issues that matter most to you. Or, if you really can't; go and spoil your ballot as a protest. But don't disengage completely because there is no perfect option to vote for

You'd be naïve to think they had any plans to actually protect women and vote for them on that basis.

Nothing would make me vote Tory, not after how they've filled their own pockets while obliterating the country

I don't think anything is going to make me vote Tory!

I'd love to see the Lib Dem's have a go.

Although (and I know you are going to shoot me down here) is a woman not a woman?!