Labour members - discussion thread?

[Cwenthryth]

Thought I’d start a thread as I think there are a few of us around here, to discuss Labour Party stuff/leadership election just from the point of view of those of us that are supporting the party and have a vote. I joined Labour the day after the election and left WEP to do so.

Have other new joiners heard much from them? I have two emails from Jennie Formby: one on 15/12 welcoming me to the party but with little other info, and one on 10/01 with some basic info about the leadership election. I’ve not heard anything else, nothing from my CLP on when/where they meet, how to get involved, how to attend hustings etc. Anyone got any clues?

Well the local contact replied, she sounds friendly, she forwarded some emails about meetings for the leadership nomination (which I won’t be able to participate/vote in, as less than 8 weeks membership) and then an AGM later in Feb (which I will have 8 weeks membership for....so even eligible to stand for positions on the committee should I so desire! Hmm! I wonder how a quietly gender critical woman’s officer would go down!).

Anyone already been to leadership nomination meetings? How’s it going out there?

Isn't there a conference on Sunday? I'd go but I can't take 2 days out of my weekend (I am so excited about Sat!).

What conference is that midclegs?

Has anyone joined Labour Women’s Network? It does say it’s open to “individuals who self-define as women” so I hope I’d still be welcome, as an individual who accepts I am a woman by virtue of my biology, rather than believing it’s something that is possible to self-define as. But wondering if that’s where we should be, as Labour Women, even if it’s not by our own self-definition. I’m still a woman.

According to Twitter, Tottenham CLP has passed a motion in support of A Woman's Place UK.

Oh my, that is massive if true. Perhaps that is the start of sanity returning, we can only hope.

twitter.com/SocialistswithT/status/1222627186282246145

to be frank all of the leadership candidates will be in support of self ID. In part at least because its an issue that they haven't given much thought to, engaged with - or think they understand So years of (usually reasonably until fairly recently) assuming Stonewall are on the side of decency encourage a tick box attitude. I'm not saying there won't be some cowardice as well, but we shouldn't underestimate how little the vast bulk of ppl know about this nonsense. That said there is at least one distinction to be made.

The 2019 manifesto was a fudge... in that it supported self ID but also contained a commitment to defending sex based protections. How that circle was going to be squared is above my pay grade but....

The commitment to defending same sex protections was new...and wasn't there by accident - it was the result of significant work by feminists (and a few pro feminist men) in the party. It was argued hard at the Clause v meeting that settles the wording of the manifesto

Dawn Butler went out of her way to rubbish that Equalities Act commitment as soon as the manifesto was published. It's not good for any Labour politician to be criticising either the party and more specifically the manifesto during an election. For a front bencher to do it was a disgrace. She won't be getting a vote from me - not even as a fifth preference.

Tottenham CLP passed this motion ( by , its reported, a large majority)

"Free speech for women
This CLP notes:

The debate around proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act requires sensitivity and respect for different opinions within the Labour Party.

This branch/CLP believes:
There are legitimate concerns to be addressed when balancing the need for
support and dignity for trans people with the need to maintain protection
for women’s sex-based rights, as enshrined in the Equality Act 2010;
The reaction by many party members to the activities of organisations such
as Woman’s Place UK, including denouncements from this year’s Labour Party
conference and aggressive demonstrations outside its fringe meeting, is
very concerning.
This branch/CLP resolves:
To encourage constituency parties across the country to follow good practice established by Hornsey & Wood Green and Tottenham CLPs’ Women’s Forums in creating spaces for women and LGBT activists to come together to discuss the issues in a spirit of respect and comradeship;
To make clear it supports the right of women to self-organise and freely campaign and advocate for women’s sex-based rights;
To make clear its support for Woman’s Place UK *and those campaigning for trans rights ** to organise and campaign, free from intimidation, at Labour Party events and among Labour Party members."

Wow. Fabulous news. Very pleased to see it

Rejoined member signing in.

For those of you in or near London the LWN are having leadership hustings on 4 March followed by an international women’s day party.

I’ve bought a ticket and will go for the hustings not.

I am so hoping. We've been solid Labour in this house all our lives. Can't vote for them now - how can we? If they just allow that this is a conversation that needs to be had, and women can't be threatened and silenced in this manner simply for wanting our rights protected, then we can start to find a way forward.

Heading off to CLP leader nomination meeting. Excited and apprehensive all at the same time!

RLB got this nomination on first round with >50% of the vote in the room. I’ll report more later :-)