Spectator article: Don't fall for it people

[JenniferJames]

Comrades,

The framing of the self-id debate as 'Corbynistas vs. Mumsnet' is a deliberate tactic by the right wing propaganda machine and done to undermine Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party and paint it as hopelessly divided. We're not.

It is important to remember that only a Corbyn gov't will lift women out of poverty, build homes, invest in the economy, make tuition fees free and stop invading the Middle East. Jeremy, though he doesn't hold our position, is the only Labour MP who has not only come out and said that women are entitled to a debate and to campaign against self-id, but that we have a right to raise money to see if the Equalities Act 2010 exemptions are being misused by AWS.

Hope everyone is well. Mumsnet you are indeed mighty.

[AnotherCassandra]

Jennifer, have you read this thread?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3162788-Whats-it-like-being-gender-critical-in-your-workplace

[SingingTunelessly]

Corbyn is an absolute twit. I’ll never vote Labour again until he’s gone.

[BetsyM00]

I supported the campaign as a legal principle. What you are doing is fantastic and I am glad you have made a stand.

I really don't give a shit about the Labour party or Corbyn. This is a women's issue and is cross-party. I'm in Scotland and unless we convince the SNP (ha!) then self-id will happen here, and by default also in England/Wales.

[Terftastic]

I have heard rumours that a number of the leaders of the big unions are against self-id but are afraid of the backlash that will happen if they come out and say it.

It's good though - perhaps an 'avalanche effect' when one comes out to say it? Like #MeToo.

Eventually it'll get to the stage of "you can't sack all of us!"

( I veer from downright despair at our future handmaiden existence - to giddy hope - every hour or so...! )

[TheXXFactor]

I have heard rumours that a number of the leaders of the big unions are against self-id but are afraid of the backlash that will happen if they come out and say it

Sorry but, in my book, that's worse than them having swallowed the Kool-Aid. If leaders with all the power of a big union behind them are prepared to give away women's rights just because SJWs will be mean to them on Twitter, then they don't deserve to be leaders.

[OlennasWimple]

If even the union leaders are afraid of voicing an opinion on this (ie people who are not normally scared to say what they think, particularly in a supportive place such as the Labour Party), then that sums up exactly what is wrong with the #NoDebate approach adopted by TRAs

Interesting that you think Momentum are behind the current push. I've said elsewhere on here that I can't support a Labour Party where Momentum are so influential

[Patodp]

Definitely AGAINST us.
My MP Stella Creasey.

[Hygge]

MyBrilliantDisguise I feel the same.

The only time I've ever voted other than Labour was because I couldn't bring myself to vote for Tony Blair.

I still feel that I was right to vote with my gut and my conscience at that time, and I'm feeling that way now.

I like JC, and I like my amazing female Labour MP. But with the likes of Lily Madigan gloating and goading I don't feel I can vote Labour in any sort of good conscience.

If they want my next vote then "Corby" and the rest of the Labour party need to fix this and fast. He's had time to think about this, and he's surely aware of that list Lily Madigan and their supporters were keeping about women MP's.

What's being done about that because it sounds fucking intimidating to me? I'm actually concerned about my MP to the point of being reluctant to contact her about this and have someone set their sights on her.

[AnotherCassandra]

Cornyn is like Blair, Blair war abroad, Cornyn war at home on women and children.

[Datun]

i think Corby, still thinks it's transsexuals who go through a major change and surgery

That's not how it came across in the photo of him next to Lily Madigan, cheek to cheek.

I totally understand that working from within can be very effective.

And he's got time to make that happen.

The ball is totally in his court.

But he has to play it. He can't just ignore it and expect women to shrug and hope.

[CurriedNoodle]

It is important to remember that only a Corbyn gov't will lift women out of poverty, build homes, invest in the economy, make tuition fees free and stop invading the Middle East

That will mean nothing if I can no longer leave my home and feel at least a margin of safety in a private space.

What good will money do me if my autistic daughter is being taught a non factual dogma that she is vulnerable to at school? I'd rather stay hungry.

Not invading anyone is great, but at the cost of our sex being erased from statistics? Women's rights? Our safety?

I am already suffering under austerity, we have little money and a disabled daughter.

I know which hill I would rather die on though. I will not support a party that would pretend it was horrified if someone appropriated my race, but will happily stand by and encourage men to take places meant for me, protections meant for my daughter.

This mark of the 100 year history of us getting the vote has set a fire inside of me. Women fought and died to get us the rights now being frittered away by Labour and others.

I will gladly suffer austerity (if the Tories make the right noises re:self Id) for as many years as it takes to secure my daughter's future.

[CurriedNoodle]

And I have been a lifelong Labour voter. No more.

[LunchBoxPolice]

While you continue to have Lily Madigan as the ridiculous figurehead for "Women's" officer I cannot either trust, respect or vote for Labour again

Same.

I'm a life long Labour voter, but not anymore. Who the hell I vote for now, I have no idea.

[JacintaJones]

Agreed Curried

I'm still a member of the Labour party. Angela Eagle is my MP and should be bloody ashamed of herself to support this fuckwittery.

But if the Tories oppose this I'm with May all the way.

This is the bridge I'll die on. Or betray my socialist principles for.

I am a woman before I am anything else and if Corbyn wants women to vote for him he needs to understand exactly that which we are not.
For the avoidance of doubt, that would be men.

[IntelligentYetIndecisive]

*Together we can end Tory genocide of the poor, sick and disabled at the expense of half the population.

Fixed that for you Momentumbot 😉

[Hygge]

I also take the point of fighting from within, but something has to come from those at the front right now.

It cannot be a case of "If we win the next election we will look at this then." It's too urgent for that.

That's not to say the other parties are off the hook when it comes to speaking out.

They all need to make a clear stance on this now.

[Patodp]

Jennifer (if you're still here)
So you said the statement that only
The NEC were about to confirm that only transwomen with a GRC were eligible for AWS but then the statement was pulled

Do you mean pulled in favour of self-ID women?? Or pulled to consider no one other than women-women?

I'm aware how influential Momentum are and they're also insanely pro self-ID all gender fluid pink haired teens and such...
Which is why gender critical voices need to shout louder to be heard and it will be possible in numbers.

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

I have heard rumours that a number of the leaders of the big unions are against self-id but are afraid of the backlash that will happen if they come out and say it

Sorry but I don't believe that for one second.

[20nil]

Me too. Just hanging on member here, feeling politically homeless. Hate the leadership for this insulting nonsense and for Brexit.

[stitchglitched]

I am a woman before anything else

Completely agree with this. I welcome support on this issue from wherever it comes, it is more important than any individual politician or party.

[Spinsterf]

I'm a lifelong socialist, left Labour after Iraq, rejoined to support Corbyn. I'm still hopeful sanity will prevail, and that a lot of people (including Corbyn) haven't really thought this through yet, and still think its all about being kind to people with dysphoria.
Thanks Jennifer for what you've done to raise the issue and start the debate.

[TheXXFactor]

Do you mean pulled in favour of self-ID women?? Or pulled to consider no one other than women-women?

The former.

[SerciteEland]

Has it been verified that this account actually belongs to Jennifer James? This seems like a very odd post to make in light of recent events. I did a bit of searching on it and didn't see any concrete proof that this is actually her. I am always suspicious of accounts claiming to be public figures unless they've somehow been verified...

Well, no matter if it is or isn't the Jennifer James, I refuse to vote Labour if this witch hunt continues. I would rather spoil my ballot than vote for a party that has shown such poor regard for women.

[TheXXFactor]

Well, it's consistent with what Jennifer has posted on Twitter today so, if she has been hacked, it must be both her Twitter & MN accounts.

She must be under enormous pressure. I do strongly disagree with her stance on Corbyn, but I have huge admiration for her campaign on AWS.

[CecilyNeville]

Is Rosie Duffield definitely against?

When she was on Sunday Politics South East last December, with Maria Caulfield and Lily Madigan, she seemed very uncertain. She was using phrasing like, "Lily should be able to stand for WO role if that's what Lily feels she wants to do". It was very fudgy and cautious, I thought, especially given Lily was staring straight at her.