Rosie Duffield or Conservative candidate

[RosieRight]

Just to say, I don't want this thread derailed with the die hard 'Tories are evil, over a decade of blah blah blah'. I am a one issue voter so not interested in holding my nose.

However, I am in Rosie Duffield's constituency. I plan to send an email to the conservative candidate but I've been quite ill so haven't had time to do so am not sure if they will respond.

I do not want labour in or contribute to labour getting in. I think the threat to freedom of speech and women's rights is far more threatening than another term by the Tories. Yet I can't ignore that Rosie has been Stella on this issue.

Tactically I can either vote for Rosie, and unwittingly contribute to Labour getting in.

Or

Vote for the Tory candidate and lose her voice and bravery.

What would you do? What have you asked local new candidates? Does anyone in Rosie's area know what they will do?

I'd vote for Rosie without hesitation. She has a proven track record of speaking up on this issue. Given that Labour will almost certainly win, having her within the party holding their feet to the fire will be important.

Edited to correct typos.

Your conservative candidate.

Some nuggets

"Our community is known for its inclusivity, exemplified by hosting the largest Pride event in Kent, which has become the social highlight of the year. "

"I believe that women's safe spaces are vital in our community." (Safe spaces!)

"the broader conversation on gender issues must also encompass the safety and respect of all individuals, including those who might feel marginalised or overlooked. It is not enough to solely focus on one group; our efforts must strive towards a system that promotes equity for everyone. Members of the LGBT community also deserve respect and privacy, including the simple dignity of being able to use restrooms without fear or harassment."

I know who I'd trust in a parliamentary democracy

www.louiseharveyquirke.uk/news/my-stance-gender-issues

I concur with PP, voting for Rosie knowing how brave she's been on these issues and it also means she will be in government to be a voice against the madness. I wish I was in her constituency!

Omg really? I'm having second thoughts about emailing her then as don't want to put myself to a believer.
That does make the choice more obvious I just really don't want to be responsible for getting the labour party in for their gender colonisation.

Her whole 'my stance on gender issues' page reads as "I'm not like that nasty girl Rosie. Pick me"

Yeah I'm not into pick me girl tactics.

I'd vote Rosie every time. She will be a strong voice in holding Starmer's feet to the fire, which we are going to need.
Plus, it will be difficult for Starmer to remove her without massive media attention on the sacred caste, so she will be an invaluable asset if we ever get to the point where rebuilding CG Labour form within is a possibility.
Plus, Canterbury has been conservative it's entire history before Rosie and it will be difficult to turn it Red again if she loses.
But it's your vote at the end of the day.

I think it's pretty sure Labour will win this election whatever you do. It'd be a real shame if they did it without Rosie!

So for sure, I'd vote for her. Actually I'd have thought many traditionally conservative voters would. Representative democracy does depend on the calibre of the specific representatives not just the party affiliation.

Seeing the stuff about the Tory candidate this seems like a choice between sunlight and rainbows.

I would probably vote for Rosie if she were my Labour candidate, unlike most of the other Labour candidates including my own. I have a woeful choice.

My position is Labour are going to win. So if the Labour candidate you have is broadly GC & likely to speak out, they are probably worth voting for.

My choice is Tory who was all 'complete conversion therapy ban' placards & a Labour candidate who's been out canvassing with a TiM. So, you know...

If Rosie doesn't get in it will be portrayed as the vast majority of people aren't 'anti trans' especially if the other candidate is 'poor trans'. If anyone is worthy of a vote it's Rosie.

If I was In your constituency I'd vote for Rosie.

I'd vote for Rosie too. Better to have someone sensible in the party who will hold them to account if they win, which seems likely. Also it shows specific support for those issues, as they will hopefully realise that people who supported her agreed with her views.

Besides, much as I hate what the Labour party has said about gender issues, I don't honestly believe that the Conservatives are actually to be trusted on it either. They might say some of the right things now (on that specific issue) but they are so corrupt that I can believe they'd say anything and find a way to wiggle out of it, or just not do it, or change their minds for some reason later etc. And if neither of the main parties are going to be good on this issue, I'd personally rather it be Labour in government who might at least help in other ways. I know that Labour can't be trusted either when they weasel out of every question, and Conservatives might seem to be answering honestly, but I just really do not trust them either. So I think I have to vote based on other factors.

Besides, Labour will get in in my constituency anyway, almost certainly.

Rosie is going to lose a ton of votes in the constituency because of her stance on gender issues. Vote for her.

Vote for Rosie every single time.

She's brave and such an important and influential voice, in Labour and in Parliament. We need to support her to strengthen that voice and bring more people onside. In this context, it would be highly un strategic to vote her out.

I'd be delighted to vote for Rosie despite the fact I'm voting against Labour in my own constituency.

Yes that was what I was thinking. Well the conservative candidate has actually made this a very easy decision then. I will vote for Rosie and just have to know I voted her in and not her party when they win.

I'm in a neighbouring constituency. If I lived about 5 miles further North I would 100% vote for Rosie.

As it is I have a Tory candidate who gave me an exceptionally good answer on the subject this week but I can't vote Conservative for all their other policies.

I'm 45. I don't know how many elections I've voted in and I've never felt so politically homeless. It's awful.

I'd absolutely vote for Rosie. She's the kind of voice we need in parliament and as it's likely Labour are going to get in having a Labour MP who is prepared to fight for women's rights would be my dream candidate.

Also, having a Labour MP who will fight for women's rights might mean that eventually, others in her party will do so as well; the current leadership isn't necessarily going to be there forever (or even very long?!), and we need good alternatives in the party. Voting for someone with her beliefs means that others in the party might feel able to express similar, as surely that's the only way things can ultimately change. Voting for someone whose views you agree with is a good position to be in in many ways, even if you dislike the current leadership's views and abilities.

Rosie. To put Starmer's nose out of joint if nothing else. You don't want him thinking 'see, no-one cares about this terfy stuff '.

^ This. I've voted for Rosie for these reasons. Although if she does lose a ton of votes, I won't be at all surprised if it's to the Green Party. The streets in my area are absolutely awash with Green posters and boards.

'Pick me' tactics are kind of the point, for the girls and the boys.

I'll vote for Rosie. My concern is more that she won't be an effective MP when she is at such risk that she can't attend local hustings, but I would hate for her to do badly and bolster the idea that everyone hates the transphobe and nobody cares about women's rights.

I agree with her position on most things anyway.