Crowdfunder Women to Labour Party (on All-Women Shortlists) Official Statement

[JenniferJames]

'Our solicitors have, today, sent our pre-action protocol and submissions letter to the Labour Party in respect of the definition of “woman” for protected positions and all-women shortlists.

Our solicitors are Bhogal Partners, and through them we have instructed Amanda Jones of Counsel, who is a tenant at Great James Street Chambers in London. The letter was drafted by Miss Jones after consultation with the solicitors and on instructions.

We hope that the Labour Party will take our letter and concerns seriously, and consider the points raised in it carefully. '

ends

I know Elendon. I don't do this lightly but it's not just about AWS with Labour - it's the blatant, unchecked, bullying misogyny. They hate women: I'm not voting for a party that hates women.

I would have sworn that I would never vote Tory under any circumstances

Well, all I can say is that I'm now strong enough to put myself back into the fold and stand up to these misogynistic bullies. I will not be defeated. I am strong, I am woman.

I do understand were you are coming from though TheXXFactor

Thanks JenniferJames I really hope this kicks Labour into a reality check.

But I have lost my mojo for Labour, what with shutting women down, Brexit, the cluelessness of people like Owen Jones and Lansman...
If we have to mount a legal defence every time they go against us I'm not sure they are fit to govern. Well, you might say the same about the current government and I would agree but...

Chipped another 20 in. Hope this helps people who want to stay in the party.

'Is there enough money in he crowdfunder to take this issue all the way to court?'

We can definitely take it to court, if needs be. Then we'll just see how far we get. We have made a very, very strong start today after a weeks of preparatory work by the legal team. The letter was very long, very detailed and very precise. The party is, arguably, breaching the law by having no definition of 'women' for all women shortlists. These are only allowed under a specific, legal, sex-based exemption.

Thank you so much, donors, this is your crowdfunder, your doing, and it is an honour to us that you put your trust in me and the other Labour women of the Crowdfunder team: Pilgrim, Viv, Venice, Anne, Jean and Catia. We are in there fighting on your behalf and they cannot win cos we will not lose.

You think Jon Lansman and Owen Jones want you to stay in the party? Their whole game is to get you to LEAVE the party. They are fakes. Nothing democratic about either of them... Jones wanted Corbyn to step down in favour of Lisa Nandy!

Men like these don't want intelligent, strong, vocal women around. They want timid leaflet deliverers and door knockers for election time. They are massively threatened by us, really. Why do you think they are coming out and attacking us. Their days are almost over which is why they want us out. Keep pushing.

I've voted labour all my life
I'm 45
The self ID stance and non opposition to brexit by labour has meant I have cancelled my membership and my card is in the bin
And - god help me - if the Tories stop supporting self ID I will vote for them

Yes Jennifer.

I am poor, but I will give up that bottle of extra wine this weekend.

All power to you women.

I have rejoined the Labour Party and proud to do so. Any man ever asks me to give my home up for a fund raiser or go out to deliver leaflets can PISS OFF!

This looks great Jennifer. Thank you!

I know Elendon. I don't do this lightly but it's not just about AWS with Labour - it's the blatant, unchecked, bullying misogyny. They hate women: I'm not voting for a party that hates women

Is there a party that does not hate women? The Tories certainly do. Beatrix Campbell wrote a wonderful book about women in the Conservatives called The Iron Ladies - Why women vote Tory (or something like that) that discusses the place of women in the party (dated now) and recent cuts and chops to the welfare state have impacted detrimentally on poor and disabled women. What about the proposed cuts to womens refuges?

Also please read Right Wing Women by Andrea Dworkin to get an insight. Trust me, this book hasn't aged a bit!

I have many friends who vote Conservative/Tory/died in the wool. They are lovely actually and most are appalled at what is going on now. It's strange because there are those who aren't just like Labour/Momentum women who aren't.

It's strange because there are those who are just like some Labour/Momentum women.

Was what I wanted to write.

Might also add: Strange bedfellows.

I can't support Labour any more but do support this. Good luck Jennifer and thank you.

I wouldn't vote for the Tories if my life depended on it - but I quit the LP over LM and am not going back unless this mess gets sorted out. I'm also not voting for these people again until then.

The LP has been my political home as long as I can remember. My grandparents were typical working class leftists and Labour activists. My parents are teachers and used to be Labour activists. I'm in a high-paying profession but still a Socialist. I've never voted for another party in my life.

But there is no way in hell I'm supporting the LP through this. Staying in the party and giving them my vote when this is how they're treating women to me seems rather like buying vodka for an alcoholics. The LP needs an intervention, not help to survive the shambolic state its in.

I can't support Labour any more but do support this. Good luck Jennifer and thank you.

But also, ^this!

I can't support Labour any more but do support this. Good luck Jennifer and thank you

Hear hear, from me too

I can't support Labour any more but do support this. Good luck Jennifer and thank you

Any update on this? Also, why have donors such as myself been blocked on Twitter by the OP?

I can understand scepticism, I have it myself, but this looks like the most recent update on twitter:

twitter.com/msjenniferjames/status/1277927860200669184

COURT CASE LATEST:
Jennifer James vs. @uklabour

A few months ago the case against self-id was transferred to the North West (I live in Liverpool). However a judge today sent it back to London as: 'the subject matter is of national interest not just to the North West region'.

The slow progress in the case rings true considering the current chaos in the UK court system.

Last update. Don't know why anyone should be blocked.
7 MARCH 2020by Jennifer James,Organiser

'Jennifer James vs. Labour party'

...is the name of our case! See photo. Stuff just got real. So after we lodged our case at the High Court earlier this year, it has now been transferred to Manchester.

I am told that although the High Court is in London. It also sits sometimes in other places, such as Cardiff, Liverpool and Manchester.

So it seems the main High Court (in London) has transferred our case to be heard in Manchester. It's a change of location, but not a change of level of
court or type of case or seniority of Judge. Judges are sent out from London "on circuit" to places in the rest of England and Wales.

I am told that we are waiting for an 'Acknowledgement of Service' from the Manchester court which may take a month or so and then after that the deadline for the Labour Party to respond is set by the Civil Procedure Rules and is around six weeks.

So there's nothing more we can do at the moment... it's in the court system and will be heard in due course. I will, of course, update you on any progress as soon as I'm told.

Thanks again for all your support and the continued donations... we've done great. I know it's felt slow but I do think that now the subject of self-id has (finally!) gone mainstream: it gives us a better chance of winning.

Best wishes,

Jennifer xx

Good Luck Jennifer. Unfortunately had to spoil my last two ballots, Labour has a lot of work to do, TU's too, (especially the TU's) before they get my vote back