50:50 Parliament Campaign to Encourage Women in Politics now have TWO Transwomen on the Panel

[gardenbird48]

I saw 50:50 women tweet to Sue Pascoe Chair of the Conservative Women’s Organisation some time ago on their #askhertostand, but then I couldn’t find the tweet and thought maybe they’d realised their mistake (can you guess?) and deleted it.

However, how wrong I was! There are now two people that have extremely limited ‘lived experience’ as a female (Sue was a married father and successful businessman and Master to Foxhounds until a few years ago). The other person has said hi on here recently.

I don’t mean to be rude but surely the whole point of encouraging women to stand for Parliament is to help overcome the barriers women face in entering politics. Any barriers that trans people face are rather different. It is also interesting that on a panel of three for their ‘Encouraging LGBT+ Women to Stand’ campaign, there us only one person with actual lived experience of being a woman (I am hoping that Mandu Reid of the WEP was born female at least...??)

[RobinMoiraWhite]

@Helmetbymidnight

So not only has Robin taken the place from a woman in an event about women's under-representation in politics, Robin believes only they are focussing on what the 'real issues' women face in society today.

You could not make this up.

Sigh!

I haven’t ‘taken a place’ from anyone. I was invited by the organisation (who’s objects I support) to speak and agreed to do so. I am sure they are fully aware of my history.

I made no comment about what issues I am focussing on but rather what contributors here are focussing on.

And you are right. I haven’t made it up - you have.

I’m pleased to report that this thread has resulted in more than one sensible Mumsnetter making contact direct and having a sensible conversation. That was really valuable.

But I appreciate that isn’t fashionable for a number hereabouts.

[OldCrone]

Some trans women have the view that radical feminists are obsessed with trans women rather than focussing on the many real issues facing women in our society.

We are focussing on the real issues facing women in our society. But you're not listening. Probably not surprising since what you are doing is part of the problem.

[gardenbird48]

I haven’t ‘taken a place’ from anyone. I was invited by the organisation (who’s objects I support) to speak and agreed to do so. I am sure they are fully aware of my history.

Sigh. so if they hadn't invited you and Sue P., would they have had just Mandu on the panel by herself?

[OvaHere]

So we aren't sensible then presumably Robin? What are we? Silly little women making a fuss. As a previous poster said "shame about all those irritating women taking space up in womanhood" Right?

[Oldstyle1]

Alexa: please define 'condescension'. And 'absolutely missing the bloody point'.

[NotBadConsidering]

I wish journalists would pick up amazing threads like this, so great to read so many amazing posts.

[RedToothBrush]

I’m pleased to report that this thread has resulted in more than one sensible Mumsnetter making contact direct and having a sensible conversation. That was really valuable.

Wow.

Thats quite the put down.

Hey everyone the rest of us are hysterical dickheads.

Just in case Robin hasn't spelt out the patronising contempt clearly enough.

Cheers.

[RedToothBrush]

I haven’t ‘taken a place’ from anyone. I was invited by the organisation (who’s objects I support) to speak and agreed to do so. I am sure they are fully aware of my history.

So you can't say, this idea isn't really helpful to anyone? You can't say to this organisation that their ideas of representation are flawed? This doesn't improve the problem? And actually say that biology does matter somewhere in the midsts of this. But you don't agree with that in principle anyway. You don't see the structural institutional sexism.

The funny thing is YOU get the invite. Why? Why you? Why were you selected over and above others?

Why not anyone here? There are plenty of prominent women who represent views here well that have been called. Maybe they are controversial in some quarters, but they are representative of many. Diversity of thought is important. Yet how many transwomen have been called up? Why are they getting all the gigs?

If you have the hotline number you could suggest others who would bring something to the table. We can't.

Again its interesting to see who has the power here, and who - for whatever reason - is omitted.

[OldCrone]

Have you read all the posts on this thread Robin? If you had read them and responded to the points that have been raised we could have had a sensible conversation on here. But all you have done is ignore our objections to your actions and decided to have a private 'sensible' conversation with someone who agrees with you.

Are you really incapable of having a discussion with people who disagree with you?

[RedToothBrush]

See we can name a bunch of women who have actively been pushed out of politics in the past 4 years for 'the wrong views' and thats before theres all the anonymous nameless ones here who feel pushed out.

The ones who aren't on the other end of the phoneline from above. Preapproved.

[lifeturnsonadime]

It is the complete disinterest in the views of others that I find shocking. Even in schools class representatives may have to argue for things that they are not particularly bothered about because they've been chosen (on whatever basis) to represent the views of the class.

If children understand that representing others means taking on viewpoints that don't always align with their personal experiences then why can't those who have the privilege of representing at a higher level?

Unless it has nothing to do with representation at all.

[RedToothBrush]

How do you get women into politics? By a panel from above.

Or by asking women why they dont get involved more.

Bog standard women who are politically motivated and interested by dont participate in parties.

The ones who complained. The ones kicked out. The ones bullied out. The ones priced out. The ones who cant get childcare.

They dont matter.

They dont get a voice.

Instead the parties are deciding amongst themselves how they can get in more faces that fit rather than increase diversity and actual representation.

[Darcinian]

Sigh!

Oh you silly little wimminz.

So dumb so very dumb.

Sad.

You women are not the bigliest.

[RedToothBrush]

Its almost like the people wanting to expand representation dont know what representation means or is. And it sounds like they want someone that ticks certain boxes but doesn't actually reflect the public. The actual grassroots stuff and representation as in listening to others isnt what this is about.

Its about having a face that looks good in PR.

[ArabellaScott]

@RedToothBrush

How do you get women into politics? By a panel from above.

Or by asking women why they dont get involved more.

Bog standard women who are politically motivated and interested by dont participate in parties.

The ones who complained. The ones kicked out. The ones bullied out. The ones priced out. The ones who cant get childcare.

They dont matter.

They dont get a voice.

Instead the parties are deciding amongst themselves how they can get in more faces that fit rather than increase diversity and actual representation.

Yes, yes, yes.

Meanwhile those of us encumbered with all the boring, difficult womany bits are keeping the country going as we care, work, homeschool and drive ourselves into the ground.

Luckily you can't yet take the vote from us. And more and more women are waking up to realise what this 'representation' means.

[Darcinian]

I still can't believe they didn't invite Allison Bailey.

Human rights lawyer, black, lesbian, survivor of CSA, working class background, founded a gay rights group, doesn't believe in gender identity so a good counterweight to the panellists who do believe in it.

Perfect choice.

Why on earth overlooked?

[Winesalot]

And I am pleased to see more than one new mumsnetter voice on FWR thanks to this thread.

What part of ‘if you didn’t accept the role on the panel maybe a female would have rightfully been asked’ is beyond your logic? Oh right. That’s it, that is my female socialisation speaking. Putting the mission of the group before my ego. Questioning if I would actually have as much to contribute than a female with lived experience for such an important topic. To progress the efforts of the group that it was intended for.