If you are Reform are you ok with this repulsive man potentially becoming an MP and representing women in parliament?

[Johnogroats]

Robert Kenyon, the “cheeky local chappie” who is standing for Reform in Makerfield is on record as making some shockingly sexist comments and statements. Reform are standing by him.

Can I ask the women on here who are Reform voters if they are ok with the him remaining a candidate given what I cite below. Btw I am absolutely not, but I’m not and never will be a Reform voter for a variety of reasons.

1. Retweeting a post about performing a (graphic description) of a sexual act on Carol Voderman.
2. He has attacked women as being promiscuous and accused them of taking any decision to have an abortion lightly. He wrote, “reproductive rights, women's rights, they can dress it up all they want.
3. They're deciding to kill a baby inside the womb. What they mean is they want to shag anyone they want. And if they get caught, they get a second chance and treat it as a secondary, last form of contraception.”

Either you think this is ok (don’t understand how anyone let alone a woman could be ok with it) or presumably you’ll be contacting Tice and Farage etc to drop him.

Interested in your thoughts.

Absolutely. And the concept that anyone has an abortion lightly is mistaken, I'm sure much angst goes into every decision, but for many reasons people may not be in a position where they can meet a child's needs.

We were told our daughter had severe brain damage and I was offered an abortion at 25 weeks. It was the most traumatic and distressing time of my life, and I have been through some pretty tough stuff. In no way was it an easy or flippant decision. We decided to proceed with the pregnancy, but I in no way would judge anyone in the same scenario who chose to terminate, and neither should anyone else.

I didn't. Google tells me that John McDonald recently retired as PDC Master of Ceremonies (darts commentator). Are you a fan?

I disagree. Both "peoples with uteruses" and those without should be able to discuss such complex ethical matters.

https://bsky.app/profile/implausibleblog.bsky.social/post/3mnhmlt73hk2y

Beth Rigby, "Why should women in Markerfield vote for you when you said they can't drive?"

Reform's Robert Kenyon runs away

Why would people who will never be affected by an issue have any say? You only get that if you’ve got skin in the game.

Perhaps a member of the audience will ask him later today;

This week, join Question Time for a Makerfield By-Election Special

On the panel: Andy Burnham, Michael Winstanley, Jake Austin, Sarah Wakefield, and Robert Kenyon

Why is anyone, man or woman, allowed to pass laws on what constitutes murder or harm to another person they'll never meet? Because we live in a society where we protect the rights of others even when we ourselves are not impacted. It's just mind boggling that you would ask such a stupid question.

Your views on abortion generally are pretty mind boggling. It’s an individual choice and one only women have to make.

Generally, civilized people don’t waste time taking pot shots at typos and autocorrects.

By your logic, why should any woman have the right to make laws that dictate to a "person with a penis" where he can and can't stick it?

Because, of course, we all agree he should not have the right to use it in a way that violates another person's body.

In a similar way, those who oppose abortion do not accept that a baby, which constitutes a separate human inside a woman's uterus, is "her body", but that it has rights or it's own not to be infringed upon.

Out of interest, did you deliberately misrepresent Kenyon's reference to rape? You did it twice even after I corrected you.

I recall that you like to holiday in Malta - a country which has the strictest laws around abortion in western Europe I believe.

I didn’t realise I was supposed to choose my holiday destination on the basis of its stance on abortion.

Be careful who you talk to!

I am personally against abortion in that I could never have one myself.

But I do not dare to presume to tell another women what she can do with her body. We have seen how horrifically that has been implemented in the USA, with brain dead women being kept alive as a human incubator, rape victims being forced to give birth.

Until you have been in that incredibly traumatic position of having to consider whether you need to have an abortion, I don't think you will understand just how hard it is.

I’m not in the habit of discussing abortion rights with strangers when I’m on holiday - are you?

There is, and always have been, a lot if repulsive MPs. From all parties. Vote for them or don’t. That’s democracy. 🤷‍♀️

How do you know that the Maltese person you are talking to doesn't have similar views on abortion as Kenyon though? The ones you quoted up thread, e.g.

One 2019 post said: “I agree totally with the anti abortion stance, it’s legalised killing of babies.” In another, the account said women seeking abortions were “deciding to kill a baby inside the womb”

Personally, I think if you feel very strongly on this topic you should choose a more liberal holiday destination.

What does a random Maltese person's views have to do with the Reform candidate for Makerfield, someone who could end up as MP?

Personally I think you should mind your own business and stop being so puerile, @Clavinova. How do I know what anyone thinks of abortion wherever I am. I don’t discuss it.

Charming!

@DreamyScroller

so you think girls and women should be forced to give birth then?

No, I don't. There are many circumstances where that would be cruel and on balance worse than an (early) abortion. However, I do wish we would move towards treating discussions about sex and responsibility for possible consequences with more seriousness. Abortion should not be taken lightly.

Where is your evidence that it is 'taken lightly'?

You sound like you believe Kenyon's slant on things.

A man can easily walk away from the consequences of sex.