What do you think happened to all those copies of "Trans" that we sponsored?

[ArtemesiaK]

...because it seems that a lot of them have either not been read or just dismissed. Did Keir Starmer bother to open his copy? Were they intercepted by junior staff? Is there a cupboard full of them somewhere in the Houses of Parliament? Have the local charity shops been inundated?
Just wondering because so many MPs seem so ignorant on the subject :(

So good to hear!

@334bu

When the house of cards comes tumbling down, they won't be able to say nobody told us.

The house of cards IS falling down and they definitely can’t say they weren’t warned.

Ok - that is definitely encouraging then! I guess a pp was right - maybe the fact that the tide is beginning to turn is making people think 'Huh - maybe I should actually read that book after all!'.

Thanks for posting that Necessaryscene. Good to hear.

@NoNotMeNoSiree

Depends on your audience - always thought it was a daft idea to basically mass spam a book - you might get some people reading it, but a lot of people probably would have rolled their eyes and ignored it - - like I would have done - - Its like the book equivalent of foisting religious leaflets on passers by who haven't even asked for the bloody thing in the first place.

Except these are not just random passers by, these are elected representative who are supposed to listen to and campaign on behalf of their constituents.

I accept that they probably get many requests (which is presumably why they hire staff to deal with emails etc.) however it is good practise as an MP to keep up with the issues that are concerning people, even if you don't agree with them.

@334bu

When the house of cards comes tumbling down, they won't be able to say nobody told us.

This is a really good point.

In the future when this whole shebang is looked back on and examined, much like many other scandals, a lot of MPs will be running for cover and claiming outrage and ignorance at what was going on.

Not so easy to do when they have been sent viable information telling them exactly what is going on and they simply ignored it.

@NoNotMeNoSiree

Depends on your audience - always thought it was a daft idea to basically mass spam a book - you might get some people reading it, but a lot of people probably would have rolled their eyes and ignored it - - like I would have done - - Its like the book equivalent of foisting religious leaflets on passers by who haven't even asked for the bloody thing in the first place.

You've said this before.

As was pointed out to you before, you presumably are not an elected politician drawing a salary for reading and responding to your constituents' concerns.

I recognise a whole book is a bit longer than an email expressing concerns, so I'm not suggesting that we introduce capital punishment for MPs who didn't get around to reading it.

But if you honestly think concerned constituents sending a book to their MPs is like giving leaflets to strangers in the street, you should reconsider the obligations of an MP.

There's an advantage also to sending it to on-side MPs - it will sharpen up their knowledge and leave them better placed to argue the case with other MPs.

Admittedly, MPs are busy folk, and can't read everything while also doing their jobs; they can read a briefing paper setting out the main points with short explanations of the important points with a concluding para outlining the possible future ramifications.

Two A4 pages is enough. That'll get read, and then they can either call you/whoever for more info and discussion or read the book.

Well, one of them came to the Head of my school, and it was passed to me. I'm about to put it on the 'new books' display, but I can't pretend I'm not a bit nervous (although Material Girls hasn't caused a rumpus yet)

There's an advantage also to sending it to on-side MPs - it will sharpen up their knowledge and leave them better placed to argue the case with other MPs.

Yes, I'm hoping that's what my recipient is doing.

@Jux

Admittedly, MPs are busy folk, and can't read everything while also doing their jobs; they can read a briefing paper setting out the main points with short explanations of the important points with a concluding para outlining the possible future ramifications.

Two A4 pages is enough. That'll get read, and then they can either call you/whoever for more info and discussion or read the book.

Sounds a great idea. Could you copy and paste what you have written, to save duplication of effort?

Interesting to see from a social media friend of mine firmly in the other camp that PN are reporting a campaign from a Manchester bookshop to send MPs a copy of Christine Burns's Trans Britain.

Headline: 'Finally somebody is giving MPs a 'comprehensive queer history' in brilliant trans initiative'

To be honest I share some of the scepticism about the whole concept even if it was Helen Joyce being sent to MPs. But can't help but wonder what gave the people behind this 'brilliant trans initiative' the idea, hm?

Could link to PN but don't want to. Sorry I clicked them myself!

I will be interested to see if NoNotMeNoSiree brags that she would throw Burns' book in the bin, if she were an MP.

"Brags?"
Weird turn of phrase, was just stating my opinion, not "bragging" anything.

Fairly standard English descriptive vocabulary, I would have thought. Not particularly obscure!

I should imagine some would have reached the MP who read it or part of it. Some would have reached the MP who did not read it. Some would have reached the office staff who read it or some of it. Some would have reached the office staff who threw it away. Some would have reached the MP who gave it to charity shop. Some would have reached the office staff who gave it to the charity shop. Some would have reached office staff who gave to friend / family who read it. Some would have reached office staff who gave it to family/firends who threw it away. Some would have reached MPs who gave it to family/friends who read it.......

Direct action is always worth it, even if its just to show to yourself you are not submitting to destructive idologies with out a fight.
Look how different the debate is now compaired to even six months ago.

I completely agree, Fariha. It's a Sunday Times bestseller, not just some random book, and I'm sure many of these brand new hardback copies were kept, read or passed on.

On another note I have to confess that I find the, what to call it, 'shaddowing' of GC arguments and tactics by TRAs really disturbing. It really feels like an abusive relationship. It echos the experiances of trans widdows (tho nothing like the severity obvs).

When they imediatly adopt points that are hard thought out and twist them it really feels like these men want to consume womanhood in the ultimate act of hate.

It feels like they are stealing my voice, my ideas and words.

And it leaves me feeling voiceless, and raging but also weirded out in a really creepy way.

Sorry, this is a de-rail.

I know exactly what you mean.

I had an email from mine following contact re pausing conversion therapy bill. He wrote - "I am glad you mention the Sex Matters campaign group who I met with recently alongside Helen Joyce who has written a very interesting book called ‘Trans’. I am working hard to educate myself on these complex, and sensitive, matters and hope we might stay in touch on this subject."

Let's hope he does read it

Some will be on their way to Oxfam. Others will have been flicked through. And if it raises any questions/doubts it’s worth doing.

@Fariha31

On another note I have to confess that I find the, what to call it, 'shaddowing' of GC arguments and tactics by TRAs really disturbing. It really feels like an abusive relationship. It echos the experiances of trans widdows (tho nothing like the severity obvs).

When they imediatly adopt points that are hard thought out and twist them it really feels like these men want to consume womanhood in the ultimate act of hate.

You're not wrong.

There are times I idly wonder about dropping a red herring into an argument here and seeing how long it takes to be appropriated and used. Since the terms and ideas appropriated are rarely actually understood or used in their right sense it would be so very easy to do.

It's definitely a thing. Even especially when it makes no sense or is a particular twisted DARVO.