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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Voting Alternatives

23 replies

notathenabutcassandra · 02/07/2024 06:27

I've trawled through recent posts for help and can't find what I'm looking for, but please do point me in the right direction if I've missed it!

Feeling pretty gutted about having to spoil my vote (first time in my entire voting life, I'm 46 and feel strongly about my democratic participation) so I'm going to take this energy and funnel it into positive actions.

Please could you give me your suggestions for actual meaningful steps I can take in place of participating in my democratic right to vote?

OP posts:
Ereshkigalangcleg · 02/07/2024 11:21

I'm not sure how to answer but bumping your thread!

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 02/07/2024 11:23

My body’s made the decision for me by testing positive with Covid. If I’m still in this state on Thursday I won’t be able to go and vote. Hmm

Ereshkigalangcleg · 02/07/2024 11:31

Oh no @EmpressaurusDeiGatti x

MassiveWordSalad · 02/07/2024 11:50

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 02/07/2024 11:23

My body’s made the decision for me by testing positive with Covid. If I’m still in this state on Thursday I won’t be able to go and vote. Hmm

You can apply for an emergency proxy vote (in your case on medical grounds) until 5pm on Thursday if you do want to vote. Hope you feel better soon.

Blic · 02/07/2024 11:52

Just vote. You have to choose the least worst option. After the election join whichever party is your least worst option and work on changing whatever you don’t like from the inside (eg by going to conference, joining committees, lobbying etc)

MassiveWordSalad · 02/07/2024 11:53

Don't feel bad for having to spoil your ballot OP, you have engaged in the democratic process. The situation is not your fault.

Blic · 02/07/2024 12:09

MassiveWordSalad · 02/07/2024 11:53

Don't feel bad for having to spoil your ballot OP, you have engaged in the democratic process. The situation is not your fault.

I don’t think spoiling your ballot counts as engaging. If you didn’t like any of the options the time to engage was a year/two years/three years ago. Democracy belongs to all of us, it’s not something we’re offered by other people.

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 02/07/2024 12:12

MassiveWordSalad · 02/07/2024 11:50

You can apply for an emergency proxy vote (in your case on medical grounds) until 5pm on Thursday if you do want to vote. Hope you feel better soon.

I didn’t know that. Thanks @MassiveWordSalad.

notathenabutcassandra · 02/07/2024 12:15

Ereshkigalangcleg · 02/07/2024 11:21

I'm not sure how to answer but bumping your thread!

Thank you 😊 I subscribe to lots of the main pressure groups that fight for women's rights, always share important petitions and garden where helpful. Just want to try to step it up if at all possible.

OP posts:
notathenabutcassandra · 02/07/2024 12:16

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 02/07/2024 11:23

My body’s made the decision for me by testing positive with Covid. If I’m still in this state on Thursday I won’t be able to go and vote. Hmm

Oh no I'm so sorry!

OP posts:
notathenabutcassandra · 02/07/2024 12:17

It's the first time I haven't voted - I would usually go with the lesser of all evils but this time I just don't feel I can lend support to a party when they don't represent me. It feels crap but I physically can't bring myself to do it. I haven't taken the decision lightly - but need to do something to counter-balance this feeling of impotence...

OP posts:
JuneFTW · 02/07/2024 12:28

I think I'm in the same boat... planning on channeling some of that frustration into responding to the RSE consultation which closes soon

notathenabutcassandra · 02/07/2024 14:39

JuneFTW · 02/07/2024 12:28

I think I'm in the same boat... planning on channeling some of that frustration into responding to the RSE consultation which closes soon

GOOD REMINDER, thanks!!

OP posts:
ScrollingLeaves · 02/07/2024 15:11

JuneFTW · 02/07/2024 12:28

I think I'm in the same boat... planning on channeling some of that frustration into responding to the RSE consultation which closes soon

How do you do that, please? I just found the consultation, but was not able to click on boxes.

IwantToRetire · 02/07/2024 18:52

I think many women over the years have chosed to be politically active through campaign work or working locally with like minded women.

The 2 party system in the UK and the FPTP most voting for most totally meaningless. And those women who are part of it get treated like shit anyway (Roise Duffield and others)

Only those in marginal seats have any real power.

If you spoil your ballot it has to be recorded. And numbers reported along with "valid" votes.

I am hoping for the day when over 50% of ballots are spoilt.

In case you are interested there are 2 if not 3 threads about this predicament already, which you could read for other thoughts.

JuneFTW · 03/07/2024 06:55

See if this one works

consult.education.gov.uk/rshe-team/review-of-the-rshe-statutory-guidance/

Catsmere · 03/07/2024 07:55

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 02/07/2024 11:23

My body’s made the decision for me by testing positive with Covid. If I’m still in this state on Thursday I won’t be able to go and vote. Hmm

I'm sorry to hear that! Hope your ofurlords are looking after you.

notathenabutcassandra · 03/07/2024 10:23

Thanks @IwantToRetire - I'd had a look for other threads but obviously I'm not looking hard enough! I'll have another dig around Smile

OP posts:
ScrollingLeaves · 03/07/2024 17:06

This is what the SDP
says.

It is a little vague in parts and does not specifically mention protecting children from being taught they might have the wrong bodies. (The ‘Education’ section mentions replacing PSHE with ‘Wellness’.)

This Sex Based Rights part does seem quite balanced in its approach overall though I think.

SEX-BASED RIGHTS
The liberal pursuit of individual autonomy and desire must be balanced by the common good. Some citizens feel at odds with the physiology and social role associated with their natal sex and can suffer distress. Transgender people should be treated with dignity and respect, in keeping with their acquired gender in most situations. However, these rights must be balanced against the need of natal females for safety and sporting fairness. Biological sex is real and politically significant. This requires an absolute stance on relevant legal definitions in some domains.
.
We support segregation by biological sex in sport. Fair competition is not secured if male-bodied transgender athletes are permitted to compete in women's sport and, in the case of contact sports, the risk of injury can increase significantly.

We support segregation by biological sex in prisons and women's refuges in order to safeguard the safety and privacy of natal females. Separate prisons or prison accommodation should be provided for transgender citizens to ensure their safety and privacy.

Transgender individuals wishing to change their sex marker should be allowed to do so. However, we support the continued necessity for medical gatekeeping in any legal change of sex marker. We oppose proposals that would allow someone to change their sex marker by self-identification only.

The Equality Act and Gender Recognition Act will be amended to ensure that sex-based rights which require protection in key domains are not undermined by a change in sex marker:

Healthcare spending and resources for gender dysphoric individuals, including long-term psychological intervention, should be provided at sufficient levels. Physical or drug-based medical treatments for gender dysphoria should be prohibited for anyone under 18 years of age.

We support the retention of biological sex and gender identity as distinct categories in public sector data gathering such as crime statistics, poverty metrics or public health research.

We support the use of plain English for discussions of biological sex in health and reproductive care.

Their whole manifesto is here:

General Election Manifesto

http://www.sdp.org.uk/manifesto

notathenabutcassandra · 04/07/2024 19:09

CassieMaddox · 03/07/2024 17:12

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/general-election-2024/5111223-how-to-spoil-your-ballot-paper?page=1

Great thread here.
I would vote for least worst option in your constituency, then write to your new MP on Friday.

Spoiling is pointless, you may as well abstain and save yourself some time.

Thank you!

OP posts:
radiatorbed · 04/07/2024 19:28

MassiveWordSalad · 02/07/2024 11:53

Don't feel bad for having to spoil your ballot OP, you have engaged in the democratic process. The situation is not your fault.

Yes. I have done this today. With sadness but I didn't feel that I could do anything else.

radiatorbed · 04/07/2024 19:30

Spoiling is pointless, you may as well abstain and save yourself some time

Funny how many Labour voters are on MN saying this. I have just been ridiculed by some on another thread.

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