So, a liberal democrat candidate for Basingstoke thinks a five year sentence for rape is "excessive"

[BasilFoulEggs]

I'm slightly surprised that the rapist vote has become so big and valuable that it is being courted in Basingstoke, but I know very little of that part of the world and given the current travails of the Lib Dems, I suppose there may be some sort of electoral advantage in tweeting that our justice system is outrageous for actually punishing a rapist properly. Maybe no on else will vote for them anymore, what do I know.

The Lib Dem candidate in question, seems to imagine that if a man is good looking and lots of women "wouldn't say no" to him, then the fact that one woman didn't say yes, means his sentence for rape ought to be lowered. Apart from the fact that this is unfair to ugly rapists, it shows a confusion in his mind about the difference between sex and rape, which means that this young man is not fit to represent women. I'll say nothing about what else he might not be fit to do with women as that doesn't actually have anything to do with his electoral campaign.

I've e-mailed Basingstoke Lib Dems to tell them what I think of their candidate's views, if you want to to, here's the link to their website:

basingstokelibdems.org.uk/en/page/chineham-our-candidate

I guess that at the moment in particular "humorous" comments about rape are not very sensitive?

Maybe that while the average person would condemn looting and murder, it seems that a spot of rape is a reasonable past-time?

That sort of thing I guess.

The Lib Dems have a facebook page...

Oh God I'm so ANGRY. WHY has no one from the lib dems said anything? how is this ok?
So fucked off with living in a society that thinks rape is acceptable.
Wish I could channel my anger into actually doing something but I can't think what.

this is absolutely disgusting and vile!! Why is that acceptable??how dare he trivialise what has happened to the young woman involved. Emailing LDHQ now!!Outrageous!

kohl, I think we just have to keep pushing and pushing that we believe her, and challenging people who just don't get it. Share it on facebook, email, sign petitions, just keep bloody pushing this at people until they realise what rape is, they don't repeat rape myths, and they don't keep supporting rapists.

The thought that keeps chilling me is that it's unlikely this is the first time that Ched Evans and his friends behaved like this. But it is the first time he's been convicted for it. How many more victims who were considering coming forward won't now, because they fear abuse, intimidation and being named publicly?

What a Knobber. Wonder if he'd feel the same if Ched raped him. Most men wouldn't say no, after all.

I know ice, I've signed everything I can find, facebooked it, and emailed everyone I can think of. Like you,I just keep thinking about the effect all of this will have on survivors.
I want a big fuck off march with millions of people all saying I believe her. It's horrible to look at my amazing baby girl and think that there are people IN GOVERNMENT who think that it's permissable in 15 years time, if she gets drunk, for a man to rape her.

I wonder how his vile views will affect his future political and / or acting careers?

A quick Google reveals he is Mr No-One Special, so perhaps his twattish views will finally bring him the fame he seeks?

Or he might just disappear down the rathole he slithered from.

Oh, and he does live in Basingstoke, which in itself is a form of punishment, I suppose.

Did anyone see the Lib Dem's party political broadcast for the London mayor, where they showed members of the public talking about rape etc? Seems while one section of the party is talking about protecting the public another is talking about letting criminals off with lighter sentences.

disgusting, hope they throw him out.

D'you know, I have a nasty feeling that after being kicked out of his party, this knobhead will be appearing as a guest on Top Gear within a month or two.

What a stupid thing to say...utterley despicable...I shall be emailing LD, Torys and Labour parties. How on earth can any one get away with saying such a thing?? unless he thinks rape is ok?

He's not keen on facing the public, it seems.

www.thisishampshire.net/news/9680397.Election_candidates_face_question_time/

The Basingstoke LibDem website doesn't have a 'contact us' link. Those of you who emailed them, how did you do it?

I've posted a link to the article on their FB page and asked it he'll still be representing their party in the election.

Annie, here are the contact details.

annie I emailed them here: [email protected]

sorry xpost!

Has anyone had any response from the LibDems?
Nothing here yet.

Just now, he has apologised apparently but they take my comments seriously and will be getting the local council to investigate - I shall be responding because as far as I can make out his apology was nothing of the sort.

I am so cross

Just had one:
Dear Ms Hump,

Thank you for contacting us regarding the comments made by Liberal Democrat council candidate Liam Elvish on Facebook about the Ched Evans case.

I would like to make it absolutely clear that the party does not agree with the views expressed by Mr Elvish. It is completely inappropriate and damaging to make light of offences such as rape. He has now recognised his mistake and has apologised for his remarks.

However, the Liberal Democrats take comments like these very seriously. The local party will be looking into these comments and will take appropriate further action.

Thank you once again for making us aware of your concerns on this matter.

Kind regards,

Rory Belcher
Liberal Democrats

Yes, I have just this minute had exactly the same reply.

"It is completely inappropriate and damaging to make light of offences such as rape. He has now recognised his mistake and has apologised for his remarks."

Hmmm.... the libdems are missing the point.

Surely the problem is that someone standing for election actually thinks these things in the first place, and because of that they are not fit to stand AT ALL, rather than them having to be made to make a (half-hearted, like a petulant child) vague apology?

He shouldn't have to 'recognise his mistake'.
It's not rocket science.

Don't support a convicted rapist and make light of rape.

There, that wasn't so difficult, was it?
The vast majority of intelligent adults manage to do it without having to be told.

He wasn't making light of it

He was saying that in his view a woman who is raped by a man who other women would willingly have sex with, has not really been raped
And that 5 years is too long for rape

He is not fit to stand for their party.
He probably needs to look to the BNP and that bloke who said for women being raped was not very bad, like beign forced to eat cake. I think he would fit in better with them.

The man in brighton was making light of it.

What the lib dem twat said was a completely different ball game.

I emailed the LibDems yesterday - no response yet!