Webchat with Sophie Walker, leader of the Women's Equality Party and London Mayor candidate, Tuesday 19 April at noon

[BojanaMumsnet]

Hello

We’re pleased to welcome Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, ahead of the London Mayoral elections, on Tuesday 19 April at 12 noon.

The Women’s Equality Party was set up in 2015 “to unite people of all genders, diverse ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, beliefs and experiences in the shared determination to see women enjoy the same rights and opportunities as men so that all can flourish.”

Sophie was elected leader of the Women's Equality Party in July 2015, and in January 2016 was voted to represent the party in the London Mayoral election. She says she is campaigning for “work that works, affordable housing, equal caregiving, equal enterprise, transport that works, affordable housing and an end to violence against women and girls.”

She worked as an international news agency journalist for nearly twenty years and is an ambassador for the National Autistic Society, campaigning for better support and understanding of autism, particularly in women and girls.

Please do join us on Tuesday at 12 noon if you can, or post a question for Sophie here in advance. And, as ever, please do remember our webchat guidelines and do be polite.

The London mayoral election will be held on 5 May and you’ll need to register to vote by 18 April, today. (Keep your eyes peeled for more mayoral candidate webchats in the next few weeks.)

Thanks
MNHQ

vicious ?

I totally agree that "one is not born a woman but rather becomes one"
(I mean, not your own words, but nice try)

In case anyone was wondering, one becomes a woman by being born a female infant and maturing beyond puberty.

What a disappointing crock of shit.

It reminds me a bit of when Cameron described the Kippers as fruit loops, forgetting that he might want them to vote for him.

I was thinking that earlier Bombadier. It's only ever used in a pejorative way towards women and gay men.

So presumably the WEP did this in the hope of winning more support.

Are there any lurkers prepared to de lurk if they have been convinced - I promise not to grill in why or ask any follow ups, but please tell us if Sophie won your vote/support

This vicious woman is not going to vote WEP. Bloody handmaidens.

Have re read the god awful stuff about trans issues. Buried in so much guff and waffle is this bit

"I understand the concerns of organisations that offer services to women [context makes it clear this includes TW - my clarification] who have been victimised by male violence. Such organisations should be able to tailor their support to the different needs of women and to create spaces that the women who are trying to survive feel are safe for them."

Why the fuck should they? Orgs that support women who have experienced violence are organised, run by and funded by women. Why the fuck should men benefit from our resources? If TW want these services they can organise for them and fundraise for them the same way we do - nobody offered these services for women, we fought for them and continue to keep them running.

Is that "vicious" enough for you Sophie?

So, did she give us a working definition of "woman"?

Off to read thread to find out.

"You are ignoring the only people who would vote for you. "

No, she's doing worse than ignoring them. She's positively alienating them.

So.

No working definition of woman then?

What a surprise.

Gobsmacking, ain't it Basil.

Who could have predicted that?

I'd also be interested if any lurkers have been swayed to vote for WEP by this Web chat. I also promise not to grill but would be interested in hearing why.

I expect pissing women off feels safer than pissing the trans lobby off.* *

^^ this! Well said Empressofthesevenseas

I asked for her to define "woman" she had plenty of time to read and prepare an answer. She didn't.

I agree "vicious" is sexist. Men don't get called it. Also, which questions were actually "vicious" anyway!?!

FFS - a political party for "women" and I hate them

Actually they seem to hate us

slugseat - that reference to disabled and BME women so reads like a tick box.

I'm awaiting a funding model that provides sustainable services to women - but that doesn't actually know who women are - with bated breath

Lurker convinced to vote for WEP.

Also not a trans woman.

In all fairness, they do have a definition. It's just a definition that includes literally anyone.

I'm looking forward to other definitions with no meaning such as bowls of cereal being included in motor home catalogues and red liquorice laces being offered as cycle helmets. Different but same.

No slugs - no grilling! Just wanted to know if anyone reading had been persuaded and thisrain has been kind enough to come and tell us

soapboxqueen

It would be good to know if WEP are also supporting transmen or if they have moved to the other side of the divide as it were. I was thinking about the comment about prisons where women and transwomen feel safe. I actually worry more about women and transmen in that situation if transmen are in the male prisons. (They might not thank me for my concern)

Lurker here
I am desperate to vote for a Women's party and would love to join one.
This web chat made if absolutely clear that WEP is not that party. What a let down and betrayal.

Before I return to lurking can I just say a big thank you to all the regular posters