I am standing as a local council candidate. A complete turn up as until a few years back I was completely apolitical, but this issue has got to me and I felt that if ordinary centrist people don’t engage in politics we get the politicians we ‘deserve’.
Keir is beholden to his left wing as Nicola was to the Scottish Greens. He is a presentable face of left of centre politics. He almost certainly knows what a woman is. He also knows that his inability to be honest will cost him votes. Unfortunately for him local Labour parties across the country will be populated by activists, many of whom will tend to blame us for not voting for them, rather than consider listening to women.
I am expected to do a lot of canvassing. I don’t actually think it is a winnable ward, but it is interesting to talk to people. Most are nice, and surprisingly well informed. A few have pounced on me with a raft of questions. Only one “What is a woman”, to which I gave the right answer. When it has come up 100% of people think that this gender stuff is bollox and has gone way too far. People are aware. Men just think the sports thing is bonkers…as in “I’m a cyclist and of course I can ride faster than most women.” Many people plan to vote but don’t know who to vote for.
Lots of people dislike Boris. However many claim to be keeping an open mind to see if Rishi delivers. Labour has other problems. One small business owner said that he will vote Conservative in the general election because he cannot afford not to.
The very weird thing is that Keir has no profile. People don’t dislike him, but no one has said they like him. A few have said they don’t trust him or that they don’t know what he stands for.
Sex is binary. 99.9% does not cut it. I don’t think gender is seen as a party political issue. It is too basic. Instead there is a credibility issue. If people can’t trust Keir on this what can we trust him on.