What questions should I be asking political doorstep canvassers?

[catscatscurrantscurrants]

Just that really. I'd like to have a list of questions handy for when/if they come calling.

You could go down the simple route. You could ask them to define a woman, you'll get a clear idea of whether they are pro-woman, TRA or on the fence by how much they try to avoid answering, or whether they call you a transphobe and flounce off, as canvassers have done to MNers before.

But if you want practical answers I would ask:

What the party/they would do to ensure womens single sex spaces were protected

What the party/they would do to ensure children were not being subjected to biased, age inappropriate teaching in schools

What the party/they would do about puberty blockers

I'm sure other people will have some other suggestions.

What is a woman would be my question, but we’ve never had a canvasser in over 20 years.

As a matter of interest, what definition of a woman would be satisfactory, from a gender critical perspective?

My understanding is that we all know the broad characteristics (XY, female reproductive system etc) but there are exceptions to every rule that make a concrete definition impossible to arrive at.

"Will your party support women's sex-based rights?" could be one.

Or "Will your party protect women's single-sex spaces and activities?"

Keep it simple. Best not to use "What is a woman?" because they see it as a gotcha.

My understanding is that we all know the broad characteristics (XY, female reproductive system etc) but there are exceptions to every rule that make a concrete definition impossible to arrive at.

Every woman is is an adult female human. There are no people without a sex. There isn't a third sex, there are only male and female. Disorders of sex development exist though. Any answer could reference this. I don't think you need to be a biology professor to be able to answer what a woman is. It's a question for the canvasser to answer as best they can.

I would avoid asking "What is a woman?" because it's generally only asked by people who are considered gender critical. It will prompt a savvy canvasser to give you the answer you want to hear in order to try and secure your vote, by twisting any flipflopping leader's words in a particular direction.

Instead, I'd go with a question that makes your stance unclear. That way you're likely to get the official party line, or fluster and bluster that will be equally as telling.

Once the canvasser has provided you with an answer, then you can politely inform them why you will or won't be voting for them, and ask the canvasser to share your feedback with their party. (Since apparently Labour aren't getting full details of what people are asking on their doorsteps!)

Thank you to all who've answered so far - I'm compiling the list to keep by the door!

The Staniland Question is always good.

If you really wanted to needle them, I suppose you could pretend to be concerned about your imaginary trans child's right to use the changing rooms and toilets of the opposite sex, and see what they say then.

You could maybe ask them what their thoughts on the Labour plan to ban conversion therapy.

Littlemissviper that's exactly what I was going to suggest

Crippling period pain and decades of sexual harassment and fear of rape feel quite concrete enough, thank you. Regarding canvassers, I might start broad and see if they immediately flounder (likely) ie "what's the difference between sex and gender." Their reaction might tell you all you need to know.

To please go away?

Being a stay at home mum type I get full exposure to doorsteppers - charity collectors, Jehovah's witnesses and would be councillors!

Have simply asked 'does a woman have a penis?' twice now and made my views very clear, which is a good thing. I'm also thinking of keeping a quote book by the door too of what party MPs have said, so a crib sheet like OP suggests a good idea.

Good luck, hope you get doorstepped.

What do you think of the current relationship training given to children at school? Followed up by do you think children should be told some people are born in the wrong body? Do you think under 18s should be prescribed puberty blockers?

Should a female rape survivor be able to have access to support groups where no person born male is present?

Another good start is what do you think of conversion therapy for homosexuals? Then when they say it should be banned should we also ban anyone trying to trans children as this can also be homosexual conversion therapy.

I'm reminded of an old joke/riddle:

How many legs does a dog have, if you call its tail a leg?

Answer: Four. Because just calling something a leg doesn't mean that it is a leg.

Maybe that would be a good question?

(We don't get canvassers round here - too safe a seat to bother.)

I had Ed Davey on my doorstep d when asked he waffled on about how some people feel their gender doesn't match their sex and yes single sex spaces should be for women but those poor men who are so mismatched should be allowed in there too.
I don't know why he was up here but I bet he regrets being the one to knock on my door instead of the councillor he was canvassing with. I'll never vote for her but if she knocks I'll be asking some questions.

What's the Staniland question?

I'm going to keep it local. My local Council-run pool runs women/girls only swim sessions. There is a massive mosque just down the road. I will be asking if Muslim girls can be confident "women only" means what it used to say on the tin, and how staff will be empowered to enforce it.

What makes a woman is mine.

How are you planning to guarantee access to parks and green spaces for everyone.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I have a good list and am still scribbling. If I don't get the chance to use it on a doorstepper, I'll take it to the polling station as candidates do turn up outside there too.

I've always wanted to be doorstepped but I'm in a safe seat so it never happens!

Be careful what you wish for! Come elections we’re drowning in leaflets and my street is teeming with canvassers. I need an extra recycling box for the bloody things.