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...??)

And how does any of this align with the notion that MPs who are elected to their post 'work for you' . If representation is not about representing the class of people that you have been chosen (or elected) to represent.

Because either transwomen are women and all of our interests are the same or come from the same starting point.

Or they are not, because we are not.

So Robin whose interests do you represent? And, if it is all women then how do you decide which interests are the most important? Which women are you consulting and seeking the opinions from in taking on this position?

Sensible women don't challenge people. Sensible women don't rock the boat, don't speak up, they stay quiet and nod along. Sorry about all the insensible women who just won't stay in the box, must be really inconvenient when you're supposed to be speaking up for us and we just keep telling you things you don't want to hear.

@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?

As i say its about Partys wanting people to have faces that fit rather then bring something new to the table. Its partys looking after their own interests before being interested in women or what they bring to the table.

Find the women who fit the profile rather than listen to the public and change the party to reflect the publics needs and interests and solve the issues women face.

No one wants to hear women talk about difficult or controversial issues that cost money.

Women will carry on voting for the shitshow.

Womens issues are always deemed low priority. Thats why maternity services are the poor relation in health care and theres been so many scandals.

We do not matter.

This is why women often don't do politics. Because they still are spoken down to, belittled and depriortised.

An afterthought.

@lifeturnsonadime

And how does any of this align with the notion that MPs who are elected to their post 'work for you' . If representation is not about representing the class of people that you have been chosen (or elected) to represent.

Because either transwomen are women and all of our interests are the same or come from the same starting point.

Or they are not, because we are not.

So Robin whose interests do you represent? And, if it is all women then how do you decide which interests are the most important? Which women are you consulting and seeking the opinions from in taking on this position?

I haven’t ‘taken on any position’.

It’s really hard to have a useful conversation when my actions are misrepresented, and I’m told (inaccurately) what my motives are.

Nite all.

I actually don’t remember you having a conversation on this thread though. Just telling us silly women what’s what?

Do you have conversations on the threads you post on? Ever?

Where did I say that you have any motive? I have asked a reasonable question which you have completely failed to answer.

That speaks volumes.

Women, know your limits

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.

Ha. I am old enough to remember the days when "lurkers support me in email" was derided on Usenet. You know, pre-www.

Don't look at my actions! Listen to my words. My words say I am not doing the thing everyone can see me doing.

The irony.

This thread offered the opportunity to find out a whole bunch of reasons why women dont get involved in politics.

Or discover why theyve felt marginalised.

Or forced out.

Nothing. Nada.

Whats the point of being on the panel?

Remind me.

Is it about representation and engagement. Or maintaining status quo. But rebranding.

.

Bears repeating I think:

Because it's not about making sense.

It's about power.

This. Always keep this front of mind. The fact that it doesn't make sense is part of why it's all about power. There is no greater power than forcing or otherwise compelling people to repeat something they know to be a lie.

What is always striking in these conversations is there's no thought about engagement outside political circles here.

Its inward looking on the already existing institutional structures.

A barrister. The existing political parties.

Theres no inventiveness here. Not where can we find women and womens issues and people outside these institutional ways of power with something really important and valuable to add to the conversation?

Why?

@RedToothBrush

What is always striking in these conversations is there's no thought about engagement outside political circles here.

Its inward looking on the already existing institutional structures.

A barrister. The existing political parties.

Theres no inventiveness here. Not where can we find women and womens issues and people outside these institutional ways of power with something really important and valuable to add to the conversation?

Why?

Grassroots activism is hard work.

Not just that. But when told there is institutional level sexism and bullying the response hasnt been to deal with it. Its to ignore it.

There are many stories about the toxicity of political culture in the uk, that uniquely British and uniquely top down boys club style stuff.

www.libdemwomen.org.uk/pro_trans_rights_open_letter

Its ... I just don't know where to start. The five points are just missing the point so badly!

I just wonder what the organisers were thinking.
The whole thing reminds me of Stella Creasy's misogyny workshop with Stonewall and how she blocked women who pointed out the obvious flaw in her campaign.

Lucy Masoud would have been a great speaker too - firefighter, trade unionist, and now a barrister I believe.

I think there should be a rival 50:50 campaign run by actual feminists who know what the word "feminist" and "woman" mean. Like there should be a better women's party than the ideologically hidebound WEP:

The Big Lie - how the WEP was always about gender rather than sex www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4058470-the-big-lie-how-the-wep-was-always-about-gender-rather-than-sex

The answer is still NO!