UPDATE: Gender Critical Women vs Labour Party, Court Claim Filed

[JenniferJames]

Hi all,

For those who don't know and those who do... a group of anti-self-id feminists, mainly from the Labour Party raised more than £30,000 to take the party to court over the inclusion of self-identified transwomen on All-Woman-Shortlists.

I set up the crowdfunder 15 minths ago... was suspended almost immediately and have since been expelled by the party (COINCIDENCE?). But hey: they can expel me from the Labour Party but they can't expel me from the Labour Movement.

We appointed solicitors who appointed a barrister, Amanda Jones of St James St. Chambers... they went through all the correct pre-action protocol but Labour refused to put the question before a judge.

Our only option was then to take it to the High Court. The case is now finalised, printed out and will be filed with the court this week. Hopefully the issue of self-id impinging on women's right to participation, representation, safety, privacy and dignity has a higher public profile than when we started crowdfunding. Particularly with the immense contributions we have had from our women sports stars such as Martina and Sharron Davies.

I want to thank everyone on Mumsnet who has supported us: whether financially, politically or just with your kindness, solidarity and encouragement. We are mighty.

Good luck Hopefully this gets some good press coverage too once things get going

Thanks Greasy I'll have a look after work.

”it could have been over minths ago but lAbour would not agree to doing that.”

Will they be obliged to respond to the High Court? I feel ignorant having to ask, but I don’t know how this works.

Thank you so much for making a stand for women.

Well done!

Yes, Labour will be obliged to respond or risk judgment in default being given against them.

Well done and good luck. No longer a labour fan but glad to have contributed and support this cause, it has cross party ramifications.

Jennifer thank you to all of you. I've been following self ID with horror and although by no means stupid, I do not have the ability to articulate myself on this subject very well (I think in part because I'm just feel so upset/betrayed/angry/incredulous, really the list of emotions is endless!). For my 11 year old daughter, my elderly mother and myself I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for everything you've all done.

So pleased to hear update. Thank you so much for doing this

Have just donated too. Wish it could be more.

Well done OP. This ridiculous bowing down to fantasy lives has to end because children are being mutilated and sterilised to support it.

A great blog post on the issue, and also the place where I found the crowdfunder link . Wonderful comments too.
notthenewsinbriefs.wordpress.com/2018/01/28/are-all-women-shortlists-transphobic/

Thanks for posting Lamaha- great blog.

Thank you Jennifer. Labour has lost me over this too, and I am politically homeless.

Off to look for the crowdfunder link now

It’s being put before the High court this week, does anyone know the timing from this point?

Is a judgement made there and then or could it go on for weeks?

Thank you Jennifer

That may not sound much but what you're doing means so much to us all.

If this goes our way, and I really hope it does, this is going to be a fantastically unambiguous bit of case law re. self ID not being lawful.

Wipe the floor with ‘em!

Oh, and as I said in the post that was deleted (as it might identify me): jolly good show Jennifer! Thank you so much for doing this, and let's hope it is as HUGE as it promised to be.
And then we can all celebrate here

Thank you

Well done for doing this. Also, well done for taking your time and aiming for a sound legal case rather than being in a hurry in order to look good.

It's clear that many organisations have no interest in following the law and it's vital that they be made either to comply with the law or to campaign, and do so publicly, to get the law changed. Choosing to operate in ways that ignore the law is allowing this gender identity ideology to embed itself more deeply into our culture by stealth.

Thanks for everything, Jen.

I remember us all hanging over the crowdfunding when it was first set up, watching the totals rise so quickly, and how we all felt so much less alone. It was an important thing, regardless of the actual case.

Great work Jennifer.

Wow just wow and thank you.
Happy to donate again if needed.
I think you are all brave and stunning 😊

Fantastic news. I hope it goes really well.

Another thought: I wonder if they'll end up saying that AWS aren't a legal requirement anyway and that the LP is going over and above what most political parties do by having them in the first place so they can do what they want?