To think this is utterly disgusting?!?

[LucyWestenra]

What is wrong with people??

Talk about adding insult to injury!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15602697/amp/Green-Party-spin-doctor-denies-women-raped-October-7-attacks.html

Agreed completely. No one should be voting for a party that condones rape.

If none of the other parties appeal then there is an option of not supporting any party.

Supporting a party that disbelieves women who were raped is never as a solution. As women, especially, we should support other women who have experienced sexual violence.

I couldn't possibly vote for any party who would have this attitude to rape victims.

Well, I agree with protecting the environment, certainly. People will say they talk less about this than they used to - but they still ( to me ) seem to care more about it than the other parties. The Tories and Reform are all about ' drill, baby, drill ' ffs.

I agree with them about wealth distribution. It's obscene to me that 50 families in the UK have the same amount of wealth as the bottom 50% of the population. We need to take that money and do some real good with it.

They want a four day week! Sounds pretty good to me.

They're pro-trans, so that's good. And pro LGB.

They want to rationalise Rail, Water and Energy. Sounds awesome.

They want to get rid of first-past-the-post in favour of proportional representation. Again, great idea...

Honestly, I think the only policy of theirs that I DON'T agree with - is cancelling Trident.

Otherwise, all good.

Yes, I'd rather not vote than support that.

All good, really?! No problems regarding their supporting of rapists and courting with extremists?

I am all for the environment, but the Greens are now nothing to do with the environment. They have distanced themselves from environmental issues, choosing to court with Islamists instead. I can guarantee you that LGBTQ+ and women's rights would not be protected.

Same. I don't particularly ally with any party at present. Spoiling the ballot paper is another option as a show of protest.

@IcyPlumShaker re proportional representation. Be careful what you wish for.
This is the system Israel has and we can all see what happens there when a party leader is desperate to stay in power and has to take into government people like the right wingers Netanyahu is currently in bed with.

I disagree with virtually everything you've said.

I don't see anything in their manifesto about ditching LGBT rights in order to ' court islamists ' as you say. I don't believe they will do this.

I disagree that they are now ' nothing to do with the environment. ' They have broadened their stance, sure - but which political party cares more about the environment than the Greens?

Where are you getting the idea that ' they support rapists ' ? Genuinely curious.

I did that at the last election. My MP is Labour and I had a very good guess that Labour was going to win after 14 years of the Tories, so it was 'none of the above' scrawled only ballot paper. It's not what I want to do again beating in mind it's barely 100 years since British women got the vote.

@IcyPlumShaker ' where do you get the idea they support rapists'?
I give you the OP! The Greens haven't said or done anything to refute what was said by ABI Wilkinson. Zac Polanski should have sacked her.

Ok.... but that's not the same as ' The Green Party support Rapists!!!!! '

At best, that's ' The Green Party refuse to discipline a Rape Denier/Apologist ' - not the same thing at all.

Several members of Reform / The Tory Party have actually been accused of rape - is that not worse?

Someone has told me that there are ecology activists locally who will field a local independent candidate. They are genuinely environmental, but without all the other stuff the Greens are associated with, which they also find unacceptable.
Perhaps more will go down that route, it could be a way forward?

There's not even been any distancing or criticism! That, to me, is shameful.

Semantics @IcyPlumShaker Any person who denies rape, whichever party they belong to, should be penalised. Polanski hasn't refuted the absurd comments made by his spin doctor. That is support of rapists in my book.
Do you think she is right for denying that the rapes took place?

I don't think she is right, no. I can easily believe that Hamas raped women on Oct 7th. From my ( limited ) googling on the subject, I can see that several credible sources ( including the UN ) would agree with this also. So I think Abi Wilkinson is wrong, and should not have said that.

The fact that Polanski hasn't sacked her, or criticised her though is CLEARLY not the same as ' supporting rapists. ' I think that's an insane conclusion to reach.

Why is it "insane"?
That's a very strong criticism of our valid concerns.

It just doesn't hold up logically.

Refusing to criticise / fire / reprimand someone who denies rape is not the same as supporting rapists. It just isn't.

It's like saying that if I have a friend who doesn't think OJ Simpson killed his wife, and I don't criticise my friend for his view, then I'm supporting wife murderers.

It's just batshit crazy, I'm sorry.

It is neither "insane" nor "batshit crazy".
Do you understand why women would find this issue so offensive and distressing?.
Also, some people will differ in opinions from you. They are neither "biased" (sic) nor mentally unwell.

Also: there is no analogy, however crude that you can come up with, @IcyPlumShaker .
Many of us have concerns about this spokesperson's offensive claims.
Not refuted by the Party she speaks for.
That is neither "insane" not "batshit".

So you are calling all the posters disagreeing with you here 'unhinged', 'batshit crazy' 'insane' etc. The Greens are welcome to you. I'm sure you'll feel right at home.

Not all of them, no. Just some.

On the whole I’ve rather enjoyed this discussion. It’s been educational.

Certainly livened up a quiet Friday!

Have a great weekend all.

People are entitled to have different opinions from you. Don't attack them, discuss the issue.

I don't agree with either of you at all about Iran. Iran supported a 2 state solution in 2024 and has categorically said it had no wish to obliterate anyone, it will only act in defence. This reflects the view of the current administration.

There are definitely things I think the international community should raise with Iran such as the threat of death in relation to homosexuality, but the idea that this could be done by bombing, assassinations is ridiculous. The aims of the bombing are geopolitical, gaining land, resources, power, not to do with human rights. Netanyahu drove the war against Iraq in a similar way 20 odd years ago and then Syria and this is simply Take 3.

And as for women - you will find documentaries in which educated, professional Iranian women talk about wanting to find love within the framework of their religion, traditions and culture and who choose to wear the hijab (not all women in Iran do) - it is somewhat patronising that MNetters who have zero knowledge of their traditions or culture are telling them they need to be saved.

I can post examples of women not wearing hijab in the streets and also a documentary if anyone is open minded enough to watch it.

This is the documentary on finding love in Iran worth watching to the end if you are interested in their culture:

Streetwalk in iran - 2025 before the bombing - this is the first I came to but there are many of them - many women without hijab:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8bxFT5lQo1k

Neither this nor anything else is a reason or excuse for bombing and I am impressed that some of the international community have pointed out the illegalities.