Who's going to the WEP Conference this weekend? Fancy a thread?

[RhymesWithOrange]

I'm the only person I know going. I would be interested to get others MNers thoughts on the conference and the agenda as it happens.

And of course the emergency debate.

@LemonJello - the party is essentially at a massive crossroads re GRA. It will decide what actions to take now, and I think it's likely that it will encompass consultation with all party members, not just those attending conference.

My understanding is that no policy will be passed on this until the next conference. Which will be in two years time?

I don't know what that means for the GRA consultation.

I'll be signing off for the next 7 hours. I'm ducking out of conference early because of the length of my journey home. Sorry. Hopefully @Cwenthryth and others can summarise the afternoon.

Oh and Cwenthryth spoke brilliantly. Very proud of her and all the brave speakers this weekend.

Thanks orange. Sounds positive but 2 years 😩

Link to Sophie Walker's full speech here (given time constraints she cut it short)

twitter.com/SophieRunning/status/1038766582481276928?s=19

Thanks to all who attended, spoke and shared from the conference.

Its an important speech I think.

I hope.

Talk here is that a lot of these subjects (including GRA) can't wait for another conference in 2 years and we'll need a process for changing policy in the interim years. Possibly by electronic voting for all members. Just off the record chat at the moment.

Whatever my reservations about the WEP and her I think this is brave

Me too Eresh, I need to see where they are going before I can give up all hope with Labour.

I'm home and already in bed. Journey back was a breeze thankfully compared to the traffic nightmare on Friday.

I've spent most of the drive reflecting on the GRA debate and these are my impressions (bear in mind I'm obviously coming from this from a particular viewpoint:

Those that were pro self id:

Compared the trans struggle with that of lesbians and gays 50 years ago.
Went into hyperbole about inclusivity and equality for all women.
Were articulate and persuasive.
Seemed assured that they would stay in the party and win the day.
Seemed less willing to listen, and in some cases were dismissive of concerns.

Those that were concerned about aspects of self id (i.e. not even against it):

Had direct experience of providing services to vulnerable women most at risk from predatory and/or abusive men.
Seemed more willing to talk, debate, find a third way.
Seemed more willing to walk away from WEP if they felt they had "lost".
Had to be more apologetic in language and tone, had to preface remarks to reassure people they weren't transphobic.

It seems even the most respectful, gentle request for concerns to be heard were viewed negatively. The completely inoffensive FPFW leaflet was held up by one speaker as disgusting. God knows what they think of Sticker Woman

Thanks again for the updates. Really useful to have so much info.