In 12 hours we have:
Almost 600 signatures on the petition
Almost 150 followers on the Facebook page
Almost 800 followers on Twitter
Whatever your thoughts on petitions, or where those petitions should be, it remains a way for people to register their support.
Political parties are not listening to women in their individual parties. In fact, some are actively disciplining them and expelling them.
Many of us are staying in our parties to fight from within. Many of us have left, after having the fight knocked out of us by months and months of being in limbo as we await a verdict on our 'suitability' to remain in a party.
On it's own, this petition may not do much, but it is yet another piece of evidence people can take along to show their MPs, or link to in an email, to show that women just want to keep their rights! The things we are asking of Liz Truss are clear and should be simple to implement. Refusing to engage with those questions will not look good. Ask your MP why any of these things are horrendously difficult:
Clarify and further enshrine in law the legal definitions of 'Woman' and 'Sex' in order to make current legislation clear and unambiguous and ensure data used to inform government policy is correctly recorded.
Publish guidance explaining and enforcing the single sex exemptions in the Equality Act 2010. A new statutory Code of Practice must help everyone be clear on what “single sex” means, as recommended by the Women and Equalities Select Committee in July 2019.
Ensure all new laws, amendments, and policies are assessed for their impact on 51% of the population, women and girls.
MPs are beginning to speak out, let's not get caught up in looking for the perfect way to do things.
Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Or as I used to say to my teenagers, JFDI!