Local Elections dilemmas

[ChoccyJules]

I have a couple of dilemmas regarding the upcoming local elections (first world problems, but still).

I don't know whether to bother discussing self-id with campaigners on the doorstep, as they won't have heard of it and it's not relevant to city issues such as parking, cycle lanes and whatever else the locals are currently up in arms about. It will of course mean one more person knows about the issues but I can't imagine anything getting back to the national parties.

Secondly and more importantly, my choice of who to vote for is being muddied by what I know some of the parties are saying nationally. So it's harder to make a choice for local counsellors who frankly are going to be more busy with infrastructure and stuff than any of this. I usually read all the bumpf and add my national knowledge to it then make a decision (ie would be personally unlikely to vote for a Tory) but this time I'm frankly stumped! That said, I always use my vote, especially as a woman.

Anyone finding they are radically changing their vote this time or are you basing your decision on local issues?

Got doorstepped last night by labour. Was in the middle of the children's tea so I didn't go into much detail.

I told them I always voted for them but not this time. Reasons I gave was anti semitism and misogyny in the party and also the leaders inability to inspire confidence (for me).

Hi, I'm under 45 and a woman with children. I'm standing as an Independent. If you asked me on the doorstep or otherwise, I'd tell you my views and full support.

I'm possibly the most clued up candidate out there on this stuff, so please do ask if you're considering not voting. Cheers.

It's worth mentioning to councillors, with specific examples they will understand. Lots of people don't know about the real world impact and implications.

If enough people mention it when canvassing, it will likely be reported back. It also raises individual awareness.

So for example asking if they believe women and girls should have the right to single sex changing and sleeping spaces. Then explaining the issues.

I've quite literally never had any party knock on my door. I'd love it, don't mind which party I have lots to say and dont mind who I say it to. Perhaps my house gives off that aura so no one dares to risk it.

I'm spoiling my ballot. I'm planning on putting XY in all the boxes cos they're the only votes those fuckers seem to care about. Won't make any difference cos I'm in one of the safest Labour areas in the country, but I'll feel better.

I will be voting labour and have also been out leafletting as a party member. The candidates for both my ward and the neighbouring ward are hard working and admirable women. Despite my discomfort with the party I believe these women will do a good job.

I usually vote Labour but can't vote them at the moment due to not only the self-ID policy itself but all the surrounding behaviour e.g. the witch hunts, the vile misogyny within the party which is not addressed. The Lib Dems seem just as bad with their crazy LGBT Twitter account - and, from what I've heard, the Greens are similar.

At the moment, I'm 90% decided that I'm going to spoil my ballot paper. My only other option is to vote Tory which is basically the opposite of my political views and a party I never thought in my lifetime that I would even consider voting for. They would never win in my ward so it would definitely just be a protest vote. If they came out against self-ID I would definitely vote for them (even if I was living somewhere where they could win) as this is the most important issue to me.

I'm cautiously optimistic about the government having cold feet on this following Amber Rudd's article in the Penis News where she didn't mention the government introducing gender self-ID: www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/20/home-secretary-amber-rudd-commonwealth-anti-gay-lgbt-laws-opinion/

Tbh, I probably spend too much time thinking about who to vote for when it probably makes little difference - but I am someone who always does vote and it's the first time I've ever considered spoiling my ballot paper. I usually go for the least worst option but they are all proposing something which is absolutely abhorrent and total deal-breaker to me.

I'm aware of what the Tories are doing in this country and getting rid of them is my priority. They are in favour of self ID too.

Labour Councillor came canvassing yesterday. I'm a Labour supporter and voter but, like others, am really conflicted on voting for them because of Self-Id stance and general piss poor attitude to womens' concerns. This a Labour council (held by one seat) but my Ward is v. safe Labour so how I decide to vote unlikely to make any difference.
Anyway, I decided to have a chat . Once he'd done the speil on all the good things they've done in the Ward (which I agreed with), then asked if they could count on my vote and if I had any concerns I wished to raised. So I talked to him about my concerns about GRA, Self-ID & how it would impact on Equalities Act - single-sex spaces and services, plus Labour's stance on this. Talked about the potential impact this would have on local services. Good local example was new swimming pool. What changing facilities will be provided? Answer - they will be single sex. Me: but that won't be the case if anyone can identify as a woman. Also talked about Adult Social Care - my LLDD SiL needs 1:1 support and this should be someone female. How will this be affected by Self-Id?
Think he was a bit taken aback at first but did listen and engage. He went on to say that Labour had best policies for woman/austerity, which I agree with but also said that would count for nothing if Labour throwing women under the bus on this issue, & also mentioned the mass resignations by Labour women.
I will do follow up email to all three councillors (only one up for re-election), with some handy links.
Am pretty chuffed with myself as it's the first time I have talked about this issue with anyone other that DH & v.close friends. DH was listening in and said he thought I'd put my points across very well.
Any ideas for useful links to share? I'm thinking of Fair Play for Women, Article by Debbie Hayton.

Flinty - very well done it sounds perfect what you said to the Cllr and great examples to use to link the national issue to local ones! I agree that self id is v relevant to the local elections.

Any spoilt ballots get shown to all candidates to read - I will most likely be spoiling mine with a comment like "no to self id, protect women only spaces"
I think this will be a really effective way of getting the message across (especially if like me it is a safe seat and won't matter either way if you vote)

Until I found out there isn't an election in my constituency (grr!!) I was going to spoil my ballot. I just don't think there is anyone to vote for. I'm appalled and angry with the way that all the parties are treating women.

I was going to write "Women don't have dicks. No to self-ID".

Flinty - Fair Play is an excellent one to share. Also, this article notthenewsinbriefs.wordpress.com/2017/11/26/when-womens-rights-are-notadebate/.

And this. fairplayforwomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/EA2010_womensrights_-factsheet.pdf

Be sure to mention that 80% of TIMs RETAIN their penises.

You could also mention the Girlguiding policy.

Few other things to think about:

Why aren't men's spaces being invaded? Why aren't men being told they're transphobic or bigoted for talking about their penises? Why isn't their language being changed? Why is the meaning of woman being changed but the meaning of man remains adult human male? Why is it ok to have men-only and transwomen-only groups and spaces but women-only is bigotry? Ask about sports. Does he think it's fair that males are allowed to compete in women's sports? Doesn't the fact that transwomen are famous for achievements in entertainment, business etc whilst transmen are famous for giving birth tell us something? We're not smashing gender roles but actually reinforcing them.

Lefty - thank you. I am thinking of spoiling paper. Have always voted so staying away is not an option. Just noticed a thread has appeared on how to spoil ballot paper and make your point.

Chocolatecake - I'm in the opposite position. I thought our council ward wasn't up for election this time round so was going to escape having to make a decision.Then the voting card arrived .
Thank you for the ideas. Girl Guides is a good current example. On the doorstep I didn't talk about the 80% retaining penises - thought the bloke might to a runner!

Pleased to have a buzz on the door this evening from a Labour canvasser (actually a councillor from elsewhere in the borough supporting the Labour candidates in our newly created ward).

I told her I was a lifelong Labour voter unhappy about self-ID and AWS; she told me she’d benefitted from being on one and agreed the issue needs proper detailed discussion. I was encouraged that she took a reasonable position herself, but expressed my disappointment with that taken by the leadership and asked her to feed that back.

Candidates are Lab, Con, LD or Green, no independents.