I might have found a political party I could vote for...

[BattyOrange]

I thought the Social Democrats had died the death when they amalgamated with the Liberal Party but apparently not. I've just looked up their trans policy sdp.org.uk/policies/transgender-and-biological-sex-based-rights/ and they pledge to support:

1. Segregation by biological sex in sport.
2. Segregation by biological sex in prisons and women’s refuges
3. The retention of biological sex and gender identity as distinct categories in public sector data gathering

They say "physical or drug-based medical treatments for gender dysphoria should be prohibited for anyone under 18 years of age" and they oppose self ID.

Am I the only person who didn't know this?
I haven't explored the rest of their policies/pledges yet but this is a good start!

This is the party that Rod Liddle supports! And partly for that reason, I think (ie biological sex).

That’s really interesting, anyold. I have recently joined on that basis (am swallowing the euroscepticism on the same basis as paleblue), and am wondering how to effect basically exactly the sort of entryism that has left women disenfranchised from the other major political parties. It’s a stunningly effective move- why can’t we do it too?

I'm sure Shirley Williams -RIP - would approve of the party strongly supporting women's rights. But Roy Jenkins would be heartbroken over Brexit. Even writing these names it feels like looking back on an age of giants.....

“ Ironically, the SDP sounds a bit like Old Labour, which is sadly missed.”

The SDP is Old Labour in many respects. They were the breakaway from Labour in the early 80s when Labour were unelectable due to the Militant stranglehold.

EdgeOfACoin

Here's a screencap of one that someone put on twitter.

twitter.com/Yvonne_Biology/status/1377728125698707457?s=19

Joining gives a party money and is therefore not useless if the party’s tendency is to go in the direction we want. But to create real change, we need assertive women to get involved and drive towards the changes we want.

I ticked 'other' in the Policy Development section of my application to join with a view to doing exactly this. Women's rights might not be a major concern of the current membership but it's very much a concern of mine!
We've got to do something because, as MaMa said, we can't go on like this. The Alba women had the right idea - I've learned from them.

I am thinking of putting them as first preference for London Mayor, just have to think of second preference now. Probably the one of the candidates who will be well supported whom I dislike least.

I think that those saying that women's rights is not a central issue among the current membership is correct. I agree, therefore, that if we want to develop the policy then it will take a women's group to do it.

Interesting, I'm currently a member of the Green Party and feel so let down by them. Living in a safe seat constituency i feel party membership is a more effective way of influencing policy than voting (I still vote but it make f all difference).

Seeing as the leadership is not actually militantly against women's rights, unlike other parties I could name, seems like we have a good start going.

I am extremely willing to get more involved in the party than just paying membership dues!

The more candidate from smaller parties that have a positive position on women's sex based rights the greater the pressure on the larger parties to get their houses in order. I may well vote for the SDP if they ever had a candidate locally.

Could we do this then, the ex-Labour and disillusioned Lib Dem/Greens amongst us? Could we, in good conscience, promote the SDP whilst working to create a SDP women's forum that corresponds with their policies?

I agree with ChristinaXYZ that the more the major parties recognise where women are placing our votes, and why, might make them reconsider their perspective on women's rights but I also think we need to be proactive in this.

Who's going to do it if we don't?

If not us, then who, batty, you’re quite right.

I think the opportunity is there for the taking.

I like the sound of them.

I've just read most of their policies and the only one I didn't like was the abolition of the HoL. IMHO the HoL has been a really useful check/ balance on government insanity over the years, with members who often have a very long perspective on events.

@GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman

I like the sound of them.

I've just read most of their policies and the only one I didn't like was the abolition of the HoL. IMHO the HoL has been a really useful check/ balance on government insanity over the years, with members who often have a very long perspective on events.

I think this can be a blindspot with parties from this part of the political spectrum. They tend to make an assumption that more direct democracy always corresponds to better outcomes without seeing the problems it can cause.

Pale blue, they didn't seem to offer an alternative. Im still amazed I'm supporting the HOL. But I'm sure like ther parties what the manifesto says and what they actually do..but of course the same can be applied for the same sex rights bits. Im still Going for the novelty act, the bin bloke for mayor and hoping MRL or similar have a candidate when time comes.

Yes! Thanks for sharing OP!
So pleased there is someone I can feel happy about voting for 🙌🙌🙌

Oh dear but the candidate for London's Mayor is former Brexit Party 😬😬😬

@SmiledWithTheRisingSun

Oh dear but the candidate for London's Mayor is former Brexit Party 😬😬😬

Yes and he stood in his brexit party capacity local to me. Remembering some of the things he said, I just can't vote for him personally.

I do like Sadiq too.

I went off Khan after this embarrassment of a video where he refuses to answer questions on his TWAW, TMAM tweet. Assembly member asks him.if he thinks some women have male reproductive organs and he refuses to answer the question.

Just say YES, Khan, and be done!

I think writing to MP's to ask them to consider aligning with the very reasonable SDP policy on gender & sex-based rights is a good idea.

I cant vote for a Brexiteer.

My membership paperwork has just arrived.

I agree with cisterectomy - I'm also amazed to find myself supporting the HoL! Never thought I'd see the day... But I think that the more of us who join a currently very minor party that's trying to grow and develop, the better position we'd be in to influence policies and help make the changes we want to see.